Project Recycle.

About Nikki/Peri We are 8 th graders at the Hamden Middle School. During the spring of 2012 we will be doing a recycling project to help promote the proper disposal of cell phones and ink cartridges. This will help our environment and this project will also benefit Don's Hat Rack by sending the old cell phones toa company who pays you for them and then they recycle the phones/cartridges the proper way. Any monies received will go directly to Don Hat Rack. . We will be presenting at the Hamden Middle School April 25 from 6-8. Our collection will run through June 3rd where our final collection will be at the Don Hat Rack road rally that starts at the Hamden Rink at 9 am. More information on the road rally. Www.donshatrack9.com Why should you be concerned: Why are cell phones/pdaʼs so harmful to the environment?   Improper disposal of cell phones/pdaʼs is a serious threat to our environment.  Every cell phone/pda  contains no less than 8 hazardous materials, including Arsenic, Antimony, Beryllium, Cadmium,  Copper, Lead, Nickel, and Zinc.  Disposing of these phones in a landfill allows these substances to  leach into groundwater and soil.  Burning them in an incinerator releases chemicals associated with  reproductive complications, cancers, and developmental problems, especially in children.  In 2006  alone, more than 130 million cell phones/pdaʼs were discarded.  One cell phone/pda can pollute up  to 36,000 gallons of water which is enough drinking water for 153 people for one year!                                 Don's Hat Rack was established in 1999 in memory of Donald Perrotti who lost his battle to cancer.  In his honor Don's family wanted to keep his spirit alive with what started out as a cabinet in the infusion room at Yale New haven Children's Hospital and now has grown to an organization known all over Connecticut. The closet is stocked at all times with hats ranging from baseball caps to hand made knit hats. Straw hats to wool caps, girls and boys.  All which are new, all which are donated. Don's Hat Rack has now spead to Yale's Guilford Cancer Center and the newly opened Smillow Cancer Hospital and has become more than a closet in a treatment room. The organization helps provide toys and games to the children being treated.  They work closely with nurses and social workers at each hosiptal to provide families with the financial support they may need at home. We have collection boxes that will be set up at Hamden Middle School, Posh Salon,Eastern Pulse Snow and Skate, Hamden Ice Rink, CFC Arena As well as we can meet you to pick up your recycled goods.                                      Sunday June 3, 2012 8th Annual Motorcycle Rally Location: Hamden Ice Rink Time: Registaration begins at 8:30. Bikes set to leave at 10am. Information: All riders are to be registered before 10am. $25 per rider & $10 per passenger. We encourage everyone to bring a new, unused hat for either a boy or a girl. Registration includs morning condiments as well as entry to the picnic following. Picnic had entertainment and tons of raffles. All are invited to the picnic so if you don't have a bike you can still come! Contact: For more info or questions; Presale rally tickets: dperrotti1@comcast.net