Cells for Cells

Recycle Cell Phones to Help Families Battling Cancer

Cancer Support

Ferrellgas Propane: Showing Kansas City how to give in tough economy

by

A couple of weeks ago, I get the following email from Jim, Corporate Communications Manager for Ferrellgas Propane:

“…we’re going to have a cookout tomorrow to benefit Harvesters. It’s from 11:30 to 1 if you want to drop by. Bring a donation of non-perishable food or a small monetary gift and we’ll feed you. I’d love to have you come if you can.”

Jim and Ferrellgas have been huge supporters of Cells for Cells, so it is a very simple decision for me to attend and bring some money to help out. And I like the invitation – just a simple request to help out. That speaks volumes to me.

There was a tent set up in the parking lot of their office complex, the Lighton Plaza; and I could see the bbq smoke from way across the complex. I ate a hamburger and chips and beans. I love grilled hamburgers. (This was the REAL reason why it was easy for me to say yes!)

When I arrived, my very first thought was, “How successful will this cookout be with the economy as it is?”

Well, the results are in and they are impressive:

Jim writes to me, “We ended up with about 350 attendees, $3500.00 raised and what we’ll call a mountain of food collected. Harvesters is going to try to get us a pound total for the food donation, but I think that ‘a mountain’ does it justices.”

Jim told me that Harvesters has 4:1 buying power, meaning that that $3500.00 raised actually will buy $14,000.00 worth of food for Kansas Citians in need.

All I can say is “Job Well Done, Ferrellgas!” Jim, you did an impressive job and many families are going to be helped by your efforts. I know that many other companies and the Lighton Plaza contributed to the success of the cookout – so to everyone else that helped organize and to everyone that gave, thank you for showing Kansas City how to give during these tough times.

Oh, and I did walk away with a new Tshirt from Lighton Plaza. I love Tshirts!



Cells for Cells: Part of Pepsi’s Eco Challenge

by

Have you seen Pepsi’s Eco Challenge website?

It begins with “Welcome to the NEW Pepsi Challenge. Many Pepsi fans remember the days of the Pepsi Challenge – when we dared consumers to chose among competing cola brands and trumpeted the fact that our brand consistently came out on top. (My personal favorite is Pepsi Cherry Cola – mmmm.)

The website continues, “Today we heed to a different call and face a different challenge, one that cuts across brands, companies, industries and even continents – the challenge of environmental stewardship, protecting our planet’s resources for the generations to come…”

It is one of the most robust recycling websites I have seen. The Pepsi Eco Challenge website tells the entire story of what Pepsi is doing to reach their environmental goals – from their improving their trucks and buildings to helping college students recycle with the new URecycle program.

And, did you know that Cells for Cells is part of Pepsi’s Eco Challenge:

To navigate to the Cells for Cells section of Pepsi’s Eco Challenge, go to www.pepsiecochallenge.com.

Then, click on the bottom right hand on the PACKAGING link and then, after that page loads, click again on the bottom right hand on the PARTNERSHIP link.

Thank you, Pepsi, for your leadership. Thank you for using our resources efficiently. And, THANK YOU for allowing Cells for Cells to be a part of Pepsi’s Eco Challenge.

********************************************************

By the way, do you remember this classic Pepsi commercial with the Godfather Girl?

Ferrellgas’ Phone Donation to Help Families Battling Cancer

by

As part of an ongoing partnership with Cells for Cells, Ferrellgas hosted
a cell phone collection drive, donating nearly 1000 cell phones to the recycling program

Shawnee, KS (CellsforCells.com) September 17, 2008– Ferrellgas, one of the nation’s largest propane distributors, donated nearly 1000 cell phones to Cells for Cells, the Shawnee, Kansas-based cell phone recycling program that benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Stirring enthusiasm for the project with a company-wide competition, Ferrellgas was able to inspire its employees and local communities to get involved in the fight against cancer.

Jim Saladin, Manager of Corporate Communications for Ferrellgas, organized the company-wide East-versus-West competition. Vice President of the Ferrellgas’ East Division Micah Redman and West Division Vice President Randy Schott each enlisted the participation of Ferrellgas employees in their respective areas, who in turn involved their customers and communities. In one notable instance, the Iowa City Cubs baseball team even held a special “free ticket night” for those who brought a cell phone to drop off at the game.

“Ferrellgas united the community,” Jason Clements, co-founder of Cells for Cells says. “Many families that battle leukemia, lymphoma, myleloma are unable to pay all their medical bills, and the efforts like Ferrellgas’ can help to significantly ease that burden.”

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society provides support, resources, and financial relief to families in need through their Patient Financial Aid Programs. The money that Cells for Cells raises by recycling cell phones is given to those Financial Aid Programs. It is through the generosity of corporate partners like Ferrellgas that community organizations such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society owe their success.

Founded in 1939, Ferrellgas is the is one of the largest propane retailers in the United States, including the largest provider of propane by branded tank exchange.

Established in 2007, Cells for Cells raises money through cell phone recycling to provide financial relief to families battling cancer through their partnership with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

# # #

For interviews or information concerning the work Cells for Cells is doing to better the lives of families battling cancers, please contact Jason Clements at jclements (at) cellsforcells (dot) com.

Cells for Cells partners with Innovative Solutions of Kansas City

by


I recently had the pleasure to meet with Gordon Ho of Innovative Solutions Consulting Group – ISCG. I’ve known of Gordon in the wireless space in Kansas City for about 8 years; but I never sat down with him. I know that he is an innovator (see: his company name) and a forward-thinking entrepreneur. So I finally called him to discuss business, the wireless industry and a strategic relationship between ISCG and Cells for Cells.

ICSG is a Nextel Sprint partner that offers new service, upgrades, and repair services. The BIG DIFFERENTIATOR with ISCG is their knowledge of SERVING THE CUSTOMER. In Kansas City, they have one of the few mobile/on-site services, where they come out to your office to service your cell phones. I would call that innovative!

Gordon and I spoke further about about working together to get more exposure for Cells for Cells and ICSG.

Here’s the quick-hit Q & A from Gordon Ho of ISCG:

Jason: Why is ISCG part of Cells for Cells?

Gordon: It’s a great cause for one. Secondly it’s important to our environment to recycle old devices and parts safely.

Jason: Was it an easy decision or Why was it an easy decision to participate?

Gordon: Very easy! Both ISCG and Cells for Cells share the same goals. That’s what makes participating an easy decision.

Jason: Do you have a one sentence statement of why customers/businesses should do business with ISCG?

Gordon: ISCG-How business get’s done! It’s pretty simple, but that how our clients rely on us. We handle their wireless and we simply get business done.

Jason: Do you have any quick recycling tips/cell phone tips for customers?

Gordon: Batteries have born on dates on the battery. If nearing the expiration date we can swap out that battery for a fresh battery with a newer date and we can recycle the old battery.

Jason: Any upcoming events that we can promote for you?

Gordon: We are sponsoring a tent at Country in the Woods on Sunday, June 22 from 4pm to 10 pm. Lonestar headlines the event at Corporate Woods in Overland Park, Kansas.

Innovative does have a wireless “how-to” blog; but it looks like the last update was in 2007. I wish they would update that because it has some really great tips. I am going to copy one of their tips right here because it is so useful for many Cells for Cells partners.

From Innovative Solutions Blog “How To Erase all contact information on a Blackberry.”

>Options>Security>General Settings>Wipe Handheld Sets the phone back to factory defaults but some information may still remain. To completely wipe the handheld, here are a couple tips.

1) Assign a password to the device and then input the password wrong 10 times !
* To assign a password to a BB device: Go to home screen and select “Options” (this is an icon that looks like a wrench). Select “Security” from the Options list. Go to the line item that says Password. Use the trackwheel to enable the password. When you save the settings, the device will ask you to enter a new password. Assign a alphanumeric password to the device.
* Input the password wrong 10 times: Power cycle the device (power if off and then back on). The device will ask you for your password. Input a wrong password 10 times. The device will give you a few warning messages. After the 10th attempt, the device will erase all user data and do a power cycle.

1) Erase all data using the “desktop manager” software
* Launch the Blackberry “desktop manager” software utility on your PC and make sure that it is connected to the BB device in the cradle.
* Launch “Backup and Restore” utility from the desktop manager menu.
* Click on the button that says “Advanced..”.
* The application will read all the data from the device, organize them, and then display on the screen (on the right column). Select all the data (email, calendar, phone logs, browser bookmarks, etc.) that you want to erase. You can select multiple entries by holding on to the CTRL button while you select them. Click on the button labeled “Clear” to erase all the data from the device.

Thank you, Gordon for your time and partnership.

If you are interested in learning more about Innovative Solutions and their Innovative customer service, you can contact Gordon directly at gho (at) isconline (dot) com or call him directly at (913) – 208 – 1025.

Paycor embraces recycling: Honored as Cells for Cells Hero

by

(Photo: Dan Christians receiving Cells for Cells Hero Award on behalf of Paycor, Inc.)

This month we honor Paycor as the Cells for Cells Hero for April 2008. Thank you to Dan Christians, Charles Tarantino, Derrick Bates in the Lenexa, Kansas offices of Paycor; and a very big thank you to Tracy Donohue at Paycor’s corporate offices in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Wow! Talk about a company that embraces recycling! And now they expand their support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by recycling their cell phones in the Cells for Cells | Recycle Because You Care program.

Well, if you happen to be searching a green payroll services company, it looks like Paycor is your obvious green choice.

First, lets talk about how green Paycor really is. Did you know that Paycor offers discounts to clients that are paperless? It is a program called Paperless Payroll. With Paperless Payroll, you can reduce clutter, get organized, and help the environment with strategies that reduce paper consumption.

Additionally, Paycor greens it up at work by encouraging employees to bring reusable water bottles to work, use reusable shopping bags, and explore alternative transportation such as trying the bus or carpooling to work.

How about letting employees visit green websites? They do that, too. The Daily Green . com is “the consumer’s guide to the green revolution.” There are many, many great tips there – you should check it out.

Now let’s talk about The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Paycor’s passion for supporting them.

I have three words for you: FLYING PIG MARATHON

From the Paycor website: “A Cincinnati institution, the Flying Pig Marathon was founded by Paycor CEO Bob Coughlin in 1998 and was quickly recognized as one of the most successful new events in running. It has been hugely successful in raising millions of dollars in charitable contributions. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training Program is our main beneficiary. Although the Flying Pig is now an independent non-profit, Paycor still provides integral support through participation on the board, corporate sponsorship, individual and team race participants, and a host of Paycor volunteers who arrive on race day at 4:30a.m. to support the runners!”

Thank you to all Paycor employees that donated cell phones. You are all HEROES as you help us provide financial relief to families that are battling cancer.

KC’s Best Companies Think Green & Save Lives

by

(Photo: Ferrellgas)


Three of Cells for Cells’ biggest partners were honored as Kansas City’s best employers in the March issue of Ingram’s Magazine.

But did you you know that these companies are leaders in RECYCLING? They recycled almost 1500 cell phones and hundreds of pounds of cell phone chargers and accessories in 2007.

Cells for Cells extends a gigantic congratulations to Ferrellgas, Burns & McDonnell, and Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP. A very special THANK YOU to Ferrellgas for mentioning Cells for Cells in their bio.

Ingram’s states, “In these workplaces, a feeling of happiness reflects the company culture. Employees are upbeat, turnover rates are minimal, and parking lots are empty soon after 5 by the boss’s design, all confirming that Kansas City is a desirable place to work and live.”

Certainly, part of that employee contentment comes from knowing they have raised thousands of dollars to help families that are battling cancer — through the simple act of recycling cell phones. Money raised goes directly to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s patient aid fund, which helps with medical bills, gas for the car, and expenses like that.

Once again, thank you and congratulations to Ferrellgas, Burns & McDonnell, and Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP. You are outstanding companies and you help fulfill the mission of Cells for Cells: Providing financial relief to families that are battling cancer.

Please learn more about Ferrellgas Propane here.

Please learn more about Burns & McDonnell here.

Please learn more about Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP here.