Cingular Wireless Helps Clean Up the Environment

Boston, MA— In an effort to help the environment, Cingular Wireless launched the Cingular Phone Recycle Program, part of its national campaign to support Special Olympics. Cingular has already collected $28 million for Special Olympics nationally, with more than $2 million raised locally in Massachusetts.

Wireless phones are typically replaced within 18 months of being purchased. However, these handsets can be recycled or refurbished and put to further use in a number of important ways. Through Cingular's ongoing phone recycling and refurbishment programs, the company processes 2-3 million phones a year and that number is expected to rise with the addition of this year's program.

To support this year's promotion, Cingular will place more than 6,000 collection bins in Cingular retail stores, 124 Simon Malls and Special Olympics programs across the country. For every wireless phone received for recycling, Cingular will donate $5 to Special Olympics. This year's promotion will run through May 31.

Proceeds raised will support Special Olympics Team USA athletes competing at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland. A delegation of more that 1,300 athletes and coaches from the United States will participate in this event, including 16 athletes and five coaches from Massachusetts. The games will be held June 21-29.

In addition, the Special Olympics Massachusetts Summer Games will take place June 13-15 on the campuses of Harvard, Boston University and MIT. Special Olympians will compete in such sports as athletics, golf and aquatics.

"We are thrilled to be working with Cingular again this year to help raise awareness and funds for our athletes and our organization," said Robert Johnson, president and chief executive officer of Special Olympics Massachusetts. "We truly appreciate the support, partnership and commitment Cingular has made to Special Olympics throughout the last three years, and we are looking forward to another great year."