For Immediate Release: 9/20/07

Naples, FL – The Shelter for Abused Women & Children is collecting new and used cell phones at 12 Starbucks Coffee Company locations throughout Naples in an effort to provide emergency access to police for countless women and children suffering from domestic violence as part of National Domestic Violence Month activities this October.

Explains Shelter Volunteer & Resource Coordinator Jackie Young, “We’re thrilled to be working with Starbucks to collect cell phones that enable victims of domestic violence to have immediate access to Collier County’s 911 emergency phone service.”

In addition to cell phone collection boxes, the following Starbucks have also agreed to display Shelter Emery Boards, which feature both our website (www.naplesshelter.org) and the number to the nonprofit organization’s 24-hour crisis line (239-775-1101):

• Starbucks, 796 5th Ave South
• Starbucks, 2130 Tamiami Trail North
• Starbucks, Central Ave. (1Tamiami Trail S)
• Starbucks, 5995 Pine Ridge Road
• Starbucks Waterside, 5505 Tamiami Trail N
• Starbucks, 7087 Radio Rd.
• Starbucks Coastland Mall
• Starbucks Kingslake Square, 4180 Davis Blvd.
• Starbucks Goodlette & Pine Ridge Plaza, 1427 Pine Ridge Rd.
• Starbucks, 15495 Tamiami Trail N (South Bonita at the Fusion Plaza)
• Starbucks Marco Island, 740 S. Collier Blvd.
• Starbucks Pelican Landing, 24630 S Tamiami Trail

First observed in October of 1987, Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an outgrowth from the first Day of Unity hosted by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence in October of 1981. In 1989, the US Congress passed the first National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Commemorative Legislation and continues to pass the legislation each year in an effort to bring much needed attention to the many and varied issues that comprise domestic violence/intimate partner abuse.

The cell phone drive is one of several activities the Shelter will be hosting during the month of October to help raise awareness about intimate partner abuse, including:

• Educating with Emery Boards at Publix locations throughout Collier County on Sunday, September 29, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Call 239-775-3862 for details).
• Elders and Domestic Violence join the Shelter’s Elder Abuse Advocate for a presentation at ACT’s Domestic Violence Symposium on Friday, October 19, from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. This event takes place at Edison College, 13401 Summerlin Road, in the Student Services Bldg. For more details call 239-775-3862, ext. 242.
• Belize Survivor: Darker Side of Paradise Book Signing with author Nancy Koerner at Options Thrift Shoppe on Saturday, October 20, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Copies of the book will be available for $25.00 each, with $5.00 from each sale benefiting the Shelter for Abused Women & Children’s life-saving programs and services.
• Children’s March on Main the Shelter’s Immokalee Outreach Office will host children’s activities from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, October 29, followed by a police-escorted Children’s March on Main Street. (Additional details to follow).

For more information about the Shelter for Abused Women & Children, Options Thrift Shop, as well as programs and services, please call 239-775-3862, or visit the Shelter’s website at www.naplesshelter.org.

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The Shelter for Abused Women & Children helps adult and child victims and survivors of domestic violence through safety, intervention and support; educates the public about domestic violence; and advocates for social change against domestic violence. For more information, please contact us at 239-775-3862, or visit us online at: www.naplesshelter.org

Media Contact: Mary Ann T. Green, mgreen@naplesshelter.org, 239-775-3862, ext. 211