Konop to distribute first 9-1-1 Cell Phones for Seniors

Toledo: Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop commenced distribution of the first group of donated cell phones to Lucas County senior citizens on April 2, 2007, at the Chester Zablocki Senior Center. Konop was joined by the staff of the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio and the RSVP program. Cell phones were distributed to seniors that have submitted applications and were contacted by the Area Office on Aging.

1

Since the introduction of the program, more community partners have offered their help to the 911 Cell Phones for seniors program by joining the program as donation sites.  Several donation sites have been added including all senior centers in Lucas County, the Area Office on Aging, and all Toledo Fire Stations.  Over 700 seniors have applied for 911 Cell Phones and over 300 phones have been donated by citizens.

“Nothing is more important than our senior citizens’ safety and I am proud that so many community partners from the Toledo Fire Fighters to the Kroger Company have joined together to make this first cell phone distribution a success,” said Konop. “And I am especially proud of the lead that the Area Office on Aging has taken. Executive Director Billie Johnson and her staff are to be commended.”

“We are so excited to initiate this program in collaboration with Commissioner Konop and other community partners.  We look forward to continued community support through donation of their cell phones to help keep our seniors safe,” said Billie Johnson, Executive Director of the Area Office on Aging.