Annie's Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell & Marcy Sugar - Letter

Dear Annie: Disability has a huge impact on our society. One in five Americans, 54 million people, have disabilities that impact our daily lives. People with disabilities want to be recognized for what they can do, not what they can't, but all too often, they do not have the opportunity to participate in and contribute to society. Americans with disabilities trail the rest of the population in access to education, employment and community involvement.

A new program takes a novel approach to improve this situation. There are an estimated 55 million old cellular phones tucked away in drawers around the country. We are asking your readers to donate their old cell phones to Sprint Project Connect, recently launched through the help of campaign spokesperson and award-winning actress Marlee Matlin. Phones can be dropped off at any participating Sprint Store or Easter Seals location nationwide, or readers can see a list by accessing our Web site, www.nod.org. These phones will be recycled or resold, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the National Organization on Disability and Easter Seals.

Thank you for helping us get the word out so cell phones can be donated and lives can be reinvigorated. Sincerely, -- Christopher Reeve, Vice Chairman, National Organization on Disability, Washington, D.C.

Dear Christopher Reeve: Thank you for writing. You have been an inspiration to the world, and I am more than happy to help.

Please, readers, find those old cell phones, and take them to your nearest Sprint Store, or access the Web site to get a list of locations. Your cooperation can make a huge difference in the quality of life for people with disabilities.

Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@creators.com, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. To find out more about Annie's Mailbox, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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