Anson County Sheriff Tommy Allen announced Monday, Aug. 2, the start of a new program at the Sheriff's Office called "911 Cell Phone Bank."

The program will provide free cell phones to senior citizens; individuals who live alone or victims of domestic violence or other violent crimes and who may have no way of contacting 911 for an emergency. Anyone with old, no longer used cell phones may turn them in at the Sheriff's Office other locations throughout the county. Bring any cases, chargers or extra batteries as well. These phones will be shipped to the 911 Cell Phone Bank, an organization for reconditioning. In return, the Sheriff's Office will be sent a supply of like-new cell phones to keep on hand to give out when needed or requested. The phones will be distributed free through the Sheriff's Office, as well as the Grace Senior Citizens Center and the local domestic violence organization. The phones will only call 911. They will work anywhere in the Anson County.

"This program will allow individuals who may not have easy access to a cell phone to have one free of charge to use for emergencies," Sheriff Allen said. "Even those with house phones can carry these phones with them when they are outside or away from their homes. The used phones we collect will be sent to the Cell Phone Bank organization for reconditioning and they will send us back a supply to keep on hand for local distribution."

The 911 Cell Phone Bank is an initiative of the Charitable Recycling Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It is endorsed and partnered with the National Sheriffs' Association, the National Association of Triads and the National Organization for Victim Assistance. All contributions are tax deductible.

A box to drop off used cell phones and accessories is located at the Sheriff's Office in Wadesboro. Also, individuals may drop off used cell phones at Town Hall locations in Ansonville, Peachland, Polkton, Lilesville and Morven, and at the General Store and Fast Shop in Burnsville.