SpringfieldNewsSun.com

A local organization linking senior citizens and law enforcement has answered a call to collect used cell phones.

Clark County Triad hopes to keep people safe and earn a little cash in the process.

The group enrolled in the nationwide 911 Cell Phone Bank and is collecting phones at Elderly United, 101 S. Fountain Ave., and the WorkPlus Resource Room, 1345 Lagonda Ave.

The donations are shipped at no cost to Triad and examined by RMS Communications, said Bill Salyers, chairman of the Clark County Triad Seniors and Law Enforcement Together Council.

If the phones are new enough that they can be reused, Triad will receive money for them.

If they are older but the 911 function still works, those phones will be donated to people who request one.

Even phones that aren't connected to a service or don't have a phone number will dial 911, Salyers said.

Elderly United has already received seven phones since the collection began last week, Executive Director Donna Frederick said.

"We are off to a wonderful start," she said.

Besides raising money for Triad, the program will allow seniors and others to feel safe.

Many seniors can't afford, don't have the technological skills or simply have no interest in buying a cell phone, Frederick said.

Phones should be donated with their parts, such as chargers or cases, if they are available.

For more information, call Elderly United at (937) 323-4948 or Salyers at (937) 399-2279.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355 or derwin@coxohio.com.