The Rotary Club at The Entrance has partnered with Central Coast Primary Care to collect used mobile phones to donate to homeless people in the area.
This will enable people living on the streets to not only stay in contact with their loved ones, but also gives them the opportunity to make appointments through Primary Care and receive updates on existing appointments.
Joe Scicluna, a member of The Entrance Rotary Club, said the initiative began as a personal project for the club and so far he has collected six phones.
“Everyone in our club has their own project, this one came about after we raised money and donated 40 hampers for Primary Care and when we dropped the hampers off, they told us they were looking for phones to give to the homeless.
“So far six phones have been donated and I’ve given four to Benevolent who are giving them to some of their clients.
“One has gone to the Shoebox Revolution, who donate shoeboxes full of food and toiletries to the homeless.
“I’ve got more phones promised to me, but I am just waiting for them to be cleared of all their data,” Scicluna said.
For this initiative, Scicluna is looking for old phones that are still in good, working condition and have their USB charger.
“I charge them and make sure they are still working and make sure they stay charged.
“They don’t need a SIM card as we will organise that.
“The beauty about these things, one lady who gave me a phone also gave me six blankets and a bag of scarves and beanies and I gave them to one of the community centres.
“It’s amazing how many people are charitable and are willing to give back to the community,” Scicluna said.
Anyone looking to donate an old phone can contact Scicluna via email at joescicluna50 at hotmail.com.
Harry Mulholland