****MEDIA ADVISORY****

For Immediate Release

TOWN OF OYSTER BAY HELPS GIVE SENIORS A LIFELINE

Town Teams Up With Phones for Life to Collect Unused Cell Phones

In an effort to further ensure the safety and well being of senior citizen residents, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto is pleased to announce the Town's partnership with Phones for Life, Inc., to collect unused cellular phones to be reprogrammed for 911 emergency use and distributed to eligible senior residents.

"The Town of Oyster Bay Housing Authority has been participating in the Phones for Life program since last summer, and due to its continued success I thought it would be great to expand the program Town-wide," Supervisor Venditto said.

The Supervisor noted that Phones for Life is a not-for-profit organization that endeavors to improve the quality of life among seniors by meeting their emergency medical access needs through wireless technology.

"This collaborative effort will not only help protect the environment by providing a better recycling option for cell phones, but will also help senior citizens in our communities get a sense of security," Supervisor Venditto said. "Having possession of a cell phone in the event of an emergency is certainly reassuring, and our seniors can be at ease and enjoy their day-to-day lives. Providing them with this sense of security can help increase their productivity in the community."

The Supervisor explained that cellular phones donated to Phones for Life are reprogrammed by the company to only dial 911 for emergency calls. They are then distributed, free of charge, to senior citizens who meet certain eligibility requirements. Items such as state of health and age are prioritizing factors when distributing phones.

"The Town has placed donation boxes at most of our Town facilities, including all of our community centers, as well as at Town Halls North (Oyster Bay) and South (Massapequa)," Supervisor Venditto said. "In addition, we are reaching out to businesses throughout the Town in an effort to having them host a box."

The Supervisor added that some local school districts, as well as nearby public libraries, are also hosting boxes. He noted that any business and/or company interested in hosting a collection box can contact his office at   (516) 624-6350 for information on obtaining one.

"Phones for Life will send a box to your establishment, complete with a sign explaining the program," the Supervisor stated. "When the collection area is full, simply call the number on the box and Phones for Life will come and pick up the phones. It really is a hassle-free process."

Supervisor Venditto urges residents who are interested in donating their inactive cell phone, with or without chargers, to drop it off at a donation box in their community. For a current list of drop off locations, visit www.oysterbaytown.com or call the Supervisor's Office at (516) 624-6350.

"Depending on the generosity of our residents, we hope to begin distributing cell phones to our seniors as early as the end of the summer," the Supervisor said.

"This is an excellent example of government working with residents and local business for the betterment of the community," Supervisor Venditto stated. "Our seniors are precious to us here in the Town of Oyster Bay, and ensuring a better quality of life for them is one of our main goals. Thanks to the cooperation of Phones for Life, we will be able to give them an added feeling of safety."