Operation OpenUP Cell Phone Collection Drive

As you all know, Operation OpenUP collects unused cell phones with chargers then reactivates them to help unfortunate individuals in our community that have no way of receiving phone calls for needed services such as jobs and housing.

To date in 2009, I have helped over 75 people. Since the programs birth some 6 years ago, I have probably helped almost 200. Recently, I was fortunate enough to get a gift of several cell phones from Page Plus Cellular's corporate office in Ohio after they heard of the outreach work I was doing here in the community. And, I am working with such organizations locally as The H.O.P.E. Team, The Bethlehem House, The Urban League, Libetad Addiction Services, The Kemba Smith Foundation, Northside New Era Baptist Church, Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, God's House of Worship, WorkOne (Indianapolis), Workforce One (Shelbyville), The Dove House, Safe Haven, both Mayor's Ex-offender Forums, Maxine Waters' Second Chance Forum, The Horizon House, Wheeler Mission and many others.

With that being said, there are two facts that will always be in place for Operations OpenUp. One: There will always be people out there that need our help. Two: We will always be in need of the cell phones to help others.

Please let me suggest a three ways you can help Operation OpenUp Community Outreach Services continue to serve our mission this holiday season.

1.

On Saturday there is an event taking place at the Circle Centre Mall, 49 West Maryland Street, Ste. 206 at 6 o'clock p.m. I have partnered with Tony "Whoa" Wallace of Kingdom Music Video Network and Andre Moore, entrepreneur and owner of several Popeye's Chicken locations in Indianapolis to co-host a cell phone collection drive at Tony's gospel music event. Coupons for two-for-one dinners will be given away in echange for your unused cell phone with chargers.

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Come by the event and drop off your cell phone and receive a gift of Popeye's Chicken as well a chance to witness the best national and local recording artist on the movie screen, and meet some of the artists in person. This is a networking event for the artists, promoters, and the community. Bring your business cards and find an artist for you next event. (Singers, rappers, poets, dancers, drill teams, comedians, motivational speakers, and more...). If you just want to drop off your donation, I will be at the doo, but please make it a point to come by and support these local Christian artists.

2.

Popeye's chicken is opening a new locations at 6707 W. Washington St. across from KMart. There will be a drop box in the restaurant for you to leave you unused cell phone with chargers. Please put the units in a zip lock bag for safety's sake before dropping them in the box. Be sure to partake of this area's Louisiana delight, Popeye's Chicken, while you are there.

3. Host a cell phone collections drive at your place of business, church or organization. If you are affiliated with one of the major companies and have phones just sitting around that need to be put to good use, give me a call or send me an email

We are planning a lunchtime networking event to showcase the restaurant and highlight the services of Operation OpenUP in the very near future. Keep your eyes right here for date and time.

I would like to take this time to thank those members of Smaller Indiana who have been instrumental in the growth of Operation OpenUP, and in my growth spiritually, in business and professionally. With the friends that I have met and the knowledge they have helped me to gain as well as the support they have given, I am forever grateful. There are so many of you who have helped and supported me along the way, but there are three in particular that I would like to mention here, today:

1. Lou Begnel
2. Rae Kridel
3. Ben McCann

I only place them here in alphabetical order. But you can believe, for what they have done for me and how they have supported me, each one holds a #1 spot in my heart. I have to give props to Pat Coyle, too, because if it weren't for his ingenious idea of "Smaller Indiana", my League of Extraordinary Gentlemen would not have been formed!

Pastor Benjamin John, though not an active member of Smaller Indiana, is a member none the less, and has been with me since the day I stopped him on the street and asked him if I could start a ministry under the cover of his church, God's House of Worship in Speedway, Indiana. He said yes and left the rest in the hands of God - and me! For his undying faith, I thank him profusely! As a few of you might know, Pastor Ben is wheelchair bound and not always able to make it to SI events. But, you can be sure that his heart is there and he is always with me in spirit.

I would like to take this time to Thank someone I have only recently met, but who has had a profound affect on my life. That would be Mark Winebrenner, originator of The Network Online.org. HIs vision has aided in my spiritual growth.

One last person I would like to mention at this time is Victoria Finch, who took the time out of a couple of her busy days, on more than one occasion, to fellowship with me and to support Operation OpenUP. Like I said, there are so many who have supported me and Operation OpenUP since I have been with Smaller Indiana. For those I did not name here today, you know who you are - for your support I say "Thank You!"

I guess I have said a lot just to say "We need your help. We need phones".

Thank you all for taking the time to read this and I hope to see you soon and wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2010.

Keep God in your Life and He will see you through!