www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Santas Bro – Ya see what you started ?!?!?!?

I was thinking about what Santas Bro did over the holidays for the K*ds of CR, and I think his gesture (and follow-thru) was nothing short of inspiring. And it makes me feel good, as he is not only a fellow CRT member, but he’s also a good friend. Simply put, that’s what it’s all about gentlemen! These types of un-selfish acts of kindness are rare these days. And I know for a fact, that there are A LOT MORE good guys on this board, whether they want to admit it or not!

So – with that being said, and along with the ongoing spirit of giving, I have a plan. But I need some input from the membership, on how to make it happen.

I have at least 18 - 20 old cell phones in my office (with cases and chargers, etc.), and I no longer need them. They are all just basic cell phones, about 2 – 3 years old. I’m not a technical guru, so before you ask - I don’t know if they’re Analog or Digital or CDMA or TDMA or GSM or Dual-Band or Tri-Band or Quad-Band, or pi-R-squared.

What I do know - is that I have them, I don’t need them, and I want to donate them to someone in need. I’ve just switched over cell-phone plans, and purchased new phones for my staff, so I don’t need these phones anymore. And I don’t want to have chica’s lining up in the lobby of the HDR, waiting on their new cell phone! I’d prefer giving them all to a business.

I am planning on bringing all the phones and accessories to CR in 3 weeks, and I would like to donate them to someone, or some business, or some school, or some charitable entity that would appreciate them. Again, I don’t know what they’d have to do to make the phones usable. Maybe just a SIM card, not sure. This donation could be done on behalf of CRT, or anonymously. Either way, it doesn’t matter to me.

So, here’s my question - Who should I donate them to, and how do I do this?

I know this is kind of short notice, and I have no idea what to do, or where to go. But I would like to give them to someone (or some business) that could truly appreciate and use them. I’m only in town for a long weekend, so time (or lack of) is definitely a factor. And if it goes well, I might try to do it again over the Labor Day weekend. This would give anyone who wants to donate (but won’t be in CR before Superbowl weekend) more time. They could either send their phone(s) to me in Florida, or drop off their phones (over the next several months) at a “to-be-determined” location in SJO.

I thought about (possibly) the Fuerza Policia. We all have security concerns, especially in and around the gulch. I know they’ve hired on a bunch of new recruits recently, and communication is critical in Law Enforcement. But that was just an idea off the top of my head. I’m looking for input from the membership.

And one other thing…..
I know that there are many business owners on this board, and I’m sure that I’m NOT the only person with extra / old cell phones. If anyone else would like to donate some of their old phones to the cause, let me know. No computers, no televisions, no refrigerators, no vibrators, no electronic gadgets, nothing bulky! Just cell phones!

I’m going to make this happen over the Superbowl weekend, and I’ll be using the SL as ground zero. Also, if any members would like to assist me with the logistics, it would be greatly appreciated.

I’d appreciate any ideas from the membership.

Respectfully,
Mucho Gusto

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Nice I idea, but I think the biggest challenge is that they are probably "locked" phones. US cell phone providers put a lock on phones so they can not be used by other companies. I think there is a way around it, but it is not a simple task.

I am sure others will chime in with better info.

I think the biggest problem is going to ICE.

They want either proof that the phone was purchased from an approved source in Costa Rica or you have receipts from, including serial numbers, from a US retailer.

The phone must be on their approved list of manufacturers and model numbers.

If it is a GSM phone they will not have any lines available after about the next 10 days.

You need someone fluent in Spanish to go to ICE, explain what you want to do, and then get their impute on how to accomplish that.

You might also need to contact customs and get their take on how to avoid duty and taxes.

PS: To Gringo Bill,
This is not a negative post just trying to cover the bases for this worthwhile endeavor

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Pura Vida
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Alex Levine

Mucho Gusto, your idea shows you have very good intentions and I hope it works out, but I must remind you that pie-R-round and cornbread-R-squared.

MG

A great thought, I would recomend checking this site.

http://unlock.nokiafree.org/


I have used it many times to unlock Nokia phones. If you CAN unlock them I have on several occasions brought an old phone down for my exnovia. Also brought a phone for Heidi at SL (No longer there). They were also worried the phone would not work but as long as you have a Cell # starting in 8 any GSM phone will work there if it is unlocked. Cell #'s starting with 3 are a differentr system I am not familar with, all I know is they don't use sim chips.

As far as ID points, I am not sure, but I am sure you could find someone, maybe even the same place as Santas Bro brought gifts to accept them and bypass ICE.

Shoot me a PM with the phone model #'s and I would happy to check it out for you.

ID might be right,

But my understanding is that once you get the phones unlocked, it is just a matter of replacing the chip inside. If it is an ICE chip for an ICE line, I don't see how they could monitor it.

I have brought unlocked phones in from the states for Tico friends that were in no way connected with ICE. So I really don't think ICE will be an issue. But I could be wrong.

Mucho,

I'd put one of those suckers in your car with a charger and then donate the rest to the local battered womens shelter. They will give them out to to people in need of a life line to 911.

911 can still be called from the phone even with no existing service plan. If it can still be turned on and reach any cell tower then it can be used to call 911.

CR may work their 911 the same way but I would be guessing.

I keep an old phone in my glove box with a charger just for emergencies.

I didn't see the original post by Santas Bro, but every time I go to the Philippines, I put up fliers in my old neighborhood asking for clothes and cell phones.

On the flyer, which I post on the community mailboxes, I give my phone number, tell about the poverty and what the K*ds need. I ask for clothes for 5 year olds and below so the clothes aren't too big (I can take more if they aren't so big). I can take 2 big bags to the RP and boy do I - my stuff only takes up about a 1/3 of 1 bag so the other 1 and 2/3 are clothes and small shoes and cell phones.

The first time I did it (3 times so far) I was given 18 cell phones in really good condition with chargers. The second time I didn't get as many phones so I went to another neighborhood to post and got enough to match the first time.

People in the US give if you make it easy for them to give.

There is a family in the RP that I give everything to because they are well off enough not to sell anything to anyone - they give it all away.

When I was going to CR, I gave a laptop computer and 2 cellphones to one of the employees at the SL who I thought would actually use them or give them away and not sell them.

This is what you have to watch out for - people selling what you are giving. I don't even trust dropping the stuff off at a church in the RP.

Just a head up on what Santas Bro has started, a great idea that will become at least an annual event if not more often

https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... highlight=

Talk about not opening posts... I thought "the toy report" was about vibrators or Phuck machines so I never opened it. LOL!

.....




No, this time it is actually a VERY good thing, hope all of the brothers step up on ths one

I think this is just a scam for MG to keep his "novias" supplied with fresh cell phones in exchange for sex everytime they lose one or it gets stolen.
Sounds like it might be more trouble than it's worth MG and you may need some luck getting them through customs Might be simpler to donate them locally to seniors for 911 calls or soldiers...
http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/
http://www.911cellphonebank.org/

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