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'Round and About

OLD PHONES NEVER DIE

Don’t toss that old cell phone in the trashcan. UCLA’s Office of Environment, Health and Safety has placed drop boxes in Murphy Hall, Powell Library and the lobby of the Strathmore Building for obsolete cell phones. “It helps in protecting the environment by preventing the release of toxic waste,” said Michael Spicer, manager of the Hazardous Waste Program. A phone’s circuit board contains toxins such as arsenic, cadmium, beryllium and lead. Yet of the 110 million cell phones that are discarded in this country annually, up to 75% end up stockpiled in drawers. Since cell phones last on average 18 months, Californians end up throwing out some 38,000 cell phones a day. Under UCLA’s agreement with California Recycles, old phones will be repaired if possible, and then donated to various shelters or resold. Phones beyond repair will be sent to a recycling facility in Pennsylvania, Spicer said. Look for drop boxes at other campus locations soon.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

UCLA Healthcare’s Volunteer Services Department will host an open house from 2-4 p.m. on three upcoming Saturdays — March 5, April 2 and May 7 — at the Marisa Leif Conference Room located at 300 UCLA Medical Plaza. New volunteers are needed to serve at the UCLA Medical Center, Mattel Children’s Hospital, Neuropsychiatric Hospital and the Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center. Opportunities to help are available in a variety of settings, including emergency rooms, research labs and outpatient clinics. Volunteers who speak both English and Spanish are especially needed. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old and should commit to at least four hours per week. For more details, call UCLA Healthcare Volunteer Services at (310) 825-6003, or visit www.healthcare.ucla.edu/volunteering/volunteering.htm.

WE LOVE SLEEPOVERS

UCLA Recreation is hosting a Valentine’s Day sleepover for youngsters and teens ages 6-13 at the Sunset Canyon Recreation Center so that parents can take the night off to celebrate on their own. From Feb. 12-13, children will get dinner and breakfast, enjoy movies and snacks, and participate in card-making, candy-making, cookie-decorating and other activities. All they need to bring is a sleeping bag, pillow and overnight bag. Cost: $100. For more information, call (310) 825-3701 or go to www.recreation.ucla.edu.

DANCE MARATHON SEEKS HELP

Students are looking for staff and faculty volunteers for UCLA’s Fourth Annual Dance Marathon Feb. 26-27. The 26-hour event will raise money for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Last year’s event involved more than 2,000 dancers, volunteers and supporters, raising more than $112,000. This year, organizers hope to recruit more than 500 dancers and raise $150,000. The marathon will be held at Ackerman Grand Ballroom and will feature live music, appearances by children, parents and activists affected by HIV/AIDS, and special programs to honor people who have contributed to the foundation. To volunteer your time to support the dancers and this event or make a donation, go to www.dancemarathon.ucla.edu.