E-CYCLING USED CELL PHONES HELPS KATRINA and RITA SENIORS

USED CELL PHONES DONATED AT PANASONIC "PLUG-IN TO ECYCLING" PROVIDE EMERGENCY FEAR RELIEF

A Simple Environmental Act With Immediate Social Benefit

Phones For Life To Program and Distribute Used Cell Phones for Free "9-1-1" Emergency Service Dialing to Gulf Coast Seniors Impacted by Katrina and Rita

(Secaucus, NJ - September 24, 2005) - Phones for Life will collect used cell phones at Panasonic's "plug-in to ecycling" event to provide Emergency Fear Relief for Gulf Coast senior citizens in the aftermath of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. Used cell phones can be dropped off at Panasonic plug-in to ecycling event at 50 Meadowlands Parkway, Secaucus, NJ from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.   All cell phones, chargers and accessories are accepted.

Phones For Life used cell phones are programmed for one-button, free, emergency   "9-1-1" emergency access calls and will be distributed to senior citizens in affected Gulf Coast regions and Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Instructions on phone use are provided in English, Spanish and French. Cash donations during this Emergency Fear Relief phone drive will be applied to purchase additional used cell phones.

Phones for Life joins Panasonic, and consumer electronics manufacturers and retailers, as well as environmental agencies and advocates in this day long effort to help raise awareness of proper recycling practices for electronics products.   There are over 500 million cell phones in use in the United States, and with an average use of only 18 months, over 125 million are discarded every year totaling 65,000 tons of cell phone waste.   Cell phones, like many electronic products are comprised of metal (40%), plastic (40%) and ceramics and trace metals (20%).

"Ecycling is just one small way to make the earth a better place," according to Dr. Dee L'Archeveque, founder and CEO of Phones for Life. "and ecycling a cell phone is a simple environmental act that has immediate social benefit."

There are over 36 million senior citizens in our country, with one in ten living below the poverty level.   Of these one-third live alone. "Less than one-percent of all discarded cell phones would make a critical difference to low income senior citizens who live alone," estimates Emergency Room Dr. Dee L'Archeveque.   "Research has proven that Phones for Life Seniors feel more secure, stay more active and interact in their community on a regular basis resulting in measurable health and psychological benefits," she explains.

"Our immediate priority is reaching the senior citizens impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and now Rita, as well," continued "Dr. Dee". "We know that senior citizens may feel particularly fearful, isolated and at risk during the long and arduous recovery from Katrina and now Rita."

"Living in temporary shelters in new and distant communities adds to daily concerns and fears for seniors and adults with disabilities. As essential land phone systems, electric utilities and emergency services are restored back home, Phones For Life cell phones will give seniorsn returning to their communities an immediate sense of security," added Dr. L'Archeveque.   "Phones for Life seniors will have a greater sense of safety as they return to their homes knowing they can reach emergency services through "9-1-1."

Dr. Dee L'Archeveque will be available for comment at plug-in to ecycling.

Phones For Life, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization serving senior citizens 65 years and older, mainly retirees who live alone and are dependent on social security or have limited economic resources. Phones For Life cell phones provides free emergency 911 service to qualified applicants. For information about Phones For Life, or to donate phones or funds, visit www.phones4life.com .