Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz contributed dozens and dozens of used cell phones to Manhattan College’s CellFund Program. Local residents have been donating their used phones to Assemblyman Dinowitz’ office for the past few months. The CellFund Program would only accept donations of 100 cell phones or more. The Assemblyman’s donation of phones pushed Manhattan College over that 100 cell phone requirement.

The program at Manhattan College entails that a portion of the cell phones are used as emergency 911 handsets distributed to the elderly and battered women shelters. Another aspect of the program is that the cell phones that have a monetary value are sold, and Manhattan College receives a portion of each sold phone. The school uses the money to help pay for the community service trips to Honduras, West Virginia, Tennessee and Texas. And another part is that unusable phones are recycled.

This donation of cell phones is part of an on-going effort of Assemblyman Dinowitz to help those in need and contribute to saving the environment. Dinowitz stated, "I am excited that I could help put Manhattan College over the 100 cell phone mark. I represent many senior citizens that will benefit greatly from having an emergency phone. I am also pleased to help recycling cell phones, as the electronic waste is becoming a critical issue in New York State."