WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. From the Mayor's Office. November 17, 2005: Mayor Joseph Delfino announced this week that the City of White Plains and the Special Olympics are teaming up to benefit Special Olympians through the White Plains “Recycle for the Special Olympics” initiative. Continuing through January 15, 2006, the City of White Plains will participate in a used cell phone donation drive that is expected to net more than 1200 used cell phones. RMS Communications Group will pay the Special Olympics as much as US$100 for each phone recycled through the program (the average is US $9 per recycled cell phone).

Mayor Joseph Delfino Shown on Election Night. Urges residents to donate cellphones. Photo by WPCNR News.

Older model and used cell phones are still of value, containing parts that can be refurbished and resold. It is believed that 30 million phones are lying idle in the hands of consumers right now. By 2005, it is estimated that 130 million cell phones will be retired each year in the United States.

“The ‘Recycle for Special Olympics’ initiative is a creative and effective way to assist the athletes competing in the Special Olympics. Fostering a spirit of volunteerism and civic responsibility in our children is something that creates a stronger community. The children of the Youth Council and the Youth Bureau will be working diligently to raise as many donations of cell phones as possible. Virtually everyone we know is upgrading their phones, and donating the old model will have an impact upon thousands of Special Olympians. I am proud to be involved, and look forward to seeing how much of a contribution White Plains can make to the Special Olympics”, White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino stated.

Donation containers have been placed at the following locations:

City Hall - 255 Main Street

Senior Center - 65 Mitchell Place

City of White Plains Youth Bureau -11 Amherst Place

White Plains Public Library - 100 Martine Avenue

White Plains Recreation & Parks - 85 Gedney Way