Have an old phone lying around and don’t know what to do with it? Consider donating it to SaskTel’s Phones for a Fresh Start program.
Now in its 11th year of operation, the program provides free access to cellular services for those fleeing domestic violence through one of 22 Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS) associated transition house or shelter.
“A cellphone is more than an entertainment device or portal to the internet; it’s a critical communications tool that many of us seem to take for granted these days,” said, Doug Burnett, SaskTel president and CEO in a press release.
“But, for someone fleeing with little, or who has never been allowed control of their own communications devices, these services can be critical to helping them recover their confidence and take back control over their lives.”
SaskTel funds the program by accepting donations of unwanted cellular devices, batteries, and accessories. These items are then recycled. SaskTel uses the proceeds to purchase new cellphones and prepaid phonecards for donation to PATHS.
Since 2009, Phones for a Fresh Start has recycled close to 120,000 cellular phones and accessories, allowing SaskTel to donate $89,000 of pre-paid phone cards and over 3,500 new cellphones.
You can donate phones and accessories at your nearest SaskTel store or at an authorized SaskTel dealer.
