Sheriff Patrick Ray, on behalf of the citizens of DeKalb County, has presented Advocate Rachel Pugh from the Cookeville Genesis House, over 170 donated used cell phones collected by the sheriff’s department.
“I want to thank the Citizens of DeKalb County for their cell phone donations,” said Pugh. “We are a non-profit organization serving DeKalb County that helps victims of domestic and sexual violence. We take the donated phones, refurbish them, and give them to our clients as a way to contact law enforcement in case they find themselves in immediate danger or have an emergency. Some of the cell phones only will call 911. Others will be enabled to assist victims in finding housing and employment.”
“Every 14 seconds in our country, a woman is battered by her intimate partner,” said Sheriff Ray. ” Every 5 years, more women are killed by domestic violence than Americans killed in the Vietnam War. Sheriff Ray also expressed his concern about domestic violence adding that 20% of all murders are domestic violence related and 76% of rape and sexual assaults are committed by husbands, ex-husbands, boyfriends, family members or acquaintances”.
“This year we were able to team with the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department in getting donated cell phones,” Sheriff Ray said.
“Our department has accumulated a number of free cell phones that we no longer use,” added DeKalb County Fire Chief Donny Green. “These phones came at no cost to the county and since we have no future need for them, we decided to partner in this effort by donating the phones because we know Genesis House will put them to good use and that they can make a difference in protecting lives; a mission that we have in common”.
Sheriff Ray said he wants to thank the Citizens of DeKalb County and the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department for one of their largest cell phone donations ever. The sheriff’s department will be collecting used cell phones again this year. You may drop off any cell phones at the sheriff’s office. “If you have a cell phone you no longer plan to use, whether or not it is functional, just drop it by the sheriff’s department. You do not need to bring any phone accessories; just the phone. The sheriff’s department collects these phones during the year and makes an annual donation on behalf of DeKalb County to the Genesis House,” said Sheriff Ray.
Anyone who is a victim of domestic violence may contact Sheriff Ray at 615-597-4935 for information or for a ride to a domestic shelter in Cookeville. You may also call the 24 hour Genesis House Crisis Line at 1-800-707-5197 or 931-526-5197.
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