Problem solved....

[Uben]

Here's the deal......my wife died in february and I still have her cell phone account with about $150 in it. It's a pay as you go account. I also have an identical phone with about a $300 balance. We didn't use cell phones much, that explains the balances.
I've been wanting to get a smart phone, but I didn't want to just surrender the balances on these phones to the phone company, so I've been texting some to use up the monies. Now, I can deplete the accounts by repeatedly texting donations to the Red Cross, $10 at a time!
What a great solution to my problem! Now, I get a new smart phone and the Red Cross gets a few hundred bucks! If you know of other ways I can donate to another disaster relief agency via texting, please let me know. If not, I will send it all to the Red Cross.
Thank you.

Uben

[NYC_SKP]

1. Brilliant idea!

Thank you!

[Scuba]

2. Outstanding!

[catrose]

3. You might ask them

If they could use a couple of cell phones with large balances on them and send them the phones. Logistics in disasters is a nightmare, not to mention expensive.

So sorry about your wife.

[riderinthestorm]

4. No suggestions for you but a kick and a rec for your beautiful soul....

and a hug for the loss of your wife.

[Control-Z]

5. You can text donations to

the Obama campaign if you think it might still make a difference here in the last week.

I'm so sorry you lost your wife.

[wellstone dem]

6. Thank you for this

And my sympathy to you on the death of your wife.

[mak3cats]

7. My sincere sympathy, and here's another idea...

Our local sheriff's department accepts donated cell phones and distributes them to victims of domestic abuse so they have a way to contact help.

I truly appreciate your thinking of others when no one would question it if you thought only of yourself at this time.

[bunnies]

8. Ive had an old pay-as-you-go phone with a balance hanging around for a while...

Now I know exactly what to do with it! Thanks for the great idea!!!!

[barbtries]

9. hi Uben

that's very generous of you.

i'm sorry for your loss

[matt819]

10. Sorry for your loss

Great solution.

As we've seen over the years at DU, there are DUers in need. A phone with balance might be just the thing to get someone over a bad patch. The same is possible in your community.

Just a thought.

But your idea is pretty nifty.

[Horse with no Name]

11. Sorry for you loss Uben

[calimary]

12. You are GREAT! What a terrific idea!

Turning your loss into something good for others in need. Thank you for your generosity!

[gateley]

13. Your wife knows and is smiling on you.

You are a good soul.

[Spazito]

14. My sympathies on the loss of your wife...

As to your solution regarding the balance on the pay as you go accounts, what a marvellous idea! I also have a pay as you go phone with a healthy balance I won't use and now I know exactly what to do with it. Thank you for this perfect solution.

[ananda]

15. What a beautiful thing to do!

And it honors your dead wife in a wonderful way too!

[DireStrike]

16. Oh wow, same thing on my mom's phone

Good idea!

[phylny]

17. Aren't you fantastic?

You made me smile and smile

[renate]

18. I'm so sorry for your loss

What a sweet thing to do with the phone balances!

Might I make a suggestion, since you were asking for other ideas? A women's shelter might find phones with balances useful. Women still in abusive homes whose every move is monitored could probably really use a way to communicate with friends or family or law enforcement without leaving a trail.

Either way-- and for you and your wife.

[gademocrat7]

19. Thank you, Uben

Sorry for your loss.

[nolabear]

20. What an unselfish tribute. Many thanks.

[reflection]

21. Out of tragedy something good happens.

I'm sorry for your loss and glad to know people like you are in the world.

[mrmpa]

22. Donate the old phones to...........

your local women's shelter. They give these phones to abused women to use in case of emergency. They program them to dial 911.

[MoonRiver]

23. Very sorry for the loss of your wife. :(

The Red Cross is great. Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) are taking funds for helping animals harmed and displaced during the storm. I'm sure you can text them funds also. Thank you for helping others while solving your problem. Win-Win

[pasto76]

24. Salvation Army. My experience in emergency management has made me favor them above all

[BeliQueen]

25. Wonderful solution and a fitting tribute.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[ffr]

26. If you can do it, so can I. $100

Thanks for the inspiration!

$100

[lexw]

27. Amazing idea!

Sorry about your wife.

[mnhtnbb]

28. I'm so sorry that you are still dealing with "stuff" from the loss of your wife.

You will forever miss her. How nice that you can help someone else in the process of moving forward yourself.

[Irishonly]

29. Way to go Uben

I am 100% positive an angel is smiling at you. I think she would be thrilled.

[Chellee]

30. That's a great idea.

What a beautiful tribute to your wife's memory.

My condolences for your loss.

[2Design]

31. direct support for NYC while Red Cross gives it worldwide

and not necessarily focused

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycservice/home.html

[Spitfire of ATJ]

32. I donate all my old phones to women's shelters.

[Historic NY]

33. sorry for your loss.

[montana_hazeleyes]

34. Very sorry for your loss Uben,

and thank you for your great idea to help others and to the DUers who have given you other great suggestions.

[qanda]

35. Sorry for your loss.

What a great idea.

[Up2Late]

36. That's an awesome idea.

Sorry for your loss.

[vanlassie]

37. You might send some money to Haiti relief.

They were hit too.

[KT2000]

38. really sorry about your wife

and what a generous thing for you to do.

[GeorgeGist]

39. Good idea ...

If the cellphone company allows it. I have my doubts.

[treestar]

40. That is wonderful of you