Cellphone donation to help domestic violence victims

Sanford Herald - 6/14/2018

June 14--Old cellphones are usually not at the top of most nonprofit's requested donations list.

But for HAVEN in Lee County, an organization dedicated to helping victims of domestic and sexual violence, a recent donation of those devices was a big help.

The nonprofit received 275 cellphones from a private individual who gave them to the Lee County Sheriff's Office. Sherry Overton Shudra, HAVEN's executive director, said her organization "frequently" gives cellphones to those they aid.

"People either donate their old cellphones here," she said, "or one of the local stores that are getting rid of some of the older models. We give them away literally every week."

Those phones serve an important purpose. Shudra said that the women and children they help will often find themselves isolated by their abusers and cut off from contacting emergency services. Having these devices on hand in those situations, she said, can be crucial.

"People can still at least call 911 if they're in a domestic violence situation," Shudra said. "They can end up getting service whenever they can afford it. Also, in some instances, some of the smartphones that we get ... have some messaging capability. These are old flip phones that they'll be able to use for the purpose of calling emergency services."

Lee County Sheriff's Deputy Casey Burton -- domestic violence community liaison and a member of the HAVEN board of directors -- delivered the phones to HAVEN on Monday. Sheriff Tracy Carter posted photos from the drop-off on his Facebook page Monday.

Burton started working with HAVEN last year and said the connection between the organizations is crucial.

"It just opens communication," she said. "If we have a unique situation or a particularly volatile situation, we can call them. They are always so great at jumping in and doing whatever we need them to do. Both of us being on the same page of music, it's huge.

On Wednesday, Carter said the donation was "a very nice thing for one of our citizens to do."

"They'll be put to good use by people that need that," he said. "We support HAVEN and what they do and we work very closely with them. It's definitely a good organization."

Reach Staff Writer Zachary Horner at 919-718-1217 and on Twitter at @Zachary_Horner.

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