During a three-week period this fall, seventeen students in a Participation in Government class collected 125 used cell phones and chargers, and donated them to the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office. Through a project called “Phone a Friend,” the DA’s office has collected more than 5,000 phones, which are distributed to senior citizens and victims of domestic violence or other violent crime. The phones can be used to dial 911 in an emergency.

David Patterson, who teaches history in addition to Participation in Government at the high school, said the initiative began after a student asked what becomes of old cell phones.

Following a class discussion and a call to District Attorney James Murphy, the students led a school-wide program. Over the course of three weeks, students, faculty and staff donated generously to it.

“Anytime we as a school do something that helps the community, everybody wins,” Patterson said. “The students learn the great feeling they get from giving back to the community, a feeling that I hope stays with them throughout their lives.”

Patterson applauded Murphy and his staff for initiating the campaign. He said he was proud his students and their role in helping the DA’s office make the community a safer place.

In a letter to Patterson, Murphy thanked the students for participating in a project that helps crime victims and senior citizens “quickly contact law enforcement if necessary.”

“Community support, such as yours, has made our cell phone drive an overwhelming success,” Murphy said.

Students who participated in the project are Sarah Lokey, Erin Finch, Mathieu Pafundi, Derek Denison, Anthony Peschieri, Katie Clements, Samantha Turco, Lydia Hannington, Sondra Galvin, Jessika Poulin, Rachelle Burke, Leah Jacobs, Brittany Rodd, Tricha Dowd, Jenna Eddy, Tracey Kwiechen and Craig Marshall.