This past winter, the Matsiko Children’s Choir raised spirits in the Valley, singing for education to lift themselves and their fellow children in the African country of Uganda out of poverty.

Now, North Bend families have begun a collection drive for used cell phones, raising money to build a school in the area the Matsiko children are from in Uganda.

“It’s a totally impoverished area,” said North Bend resident and Project HOPE Team organizer Sandy Horvath.

The Project HOPE Team is distributing collection boxes throughout the Valley and collecting old phones. The group will raise funds for a 10-classroom school for underprivileged children, which will cost $100,000, to be built by North Bend non-profit In The Field Ministries.

“The kids will be able to do their school work in a proper environment, rather than a mud hut,” said Horvath.

Project Hope Team plans to work with the cities of North Bend and Snoqualmie, during the upcoming recycling collection day on Saturday, April 26, to recycles cell phones during the event.

Cell phone recycle boxes have been placed at:

• North Bend City Hall

• Snoqualmie City Hall

• City of Snoqualmie Public Works Department

• UPS Store, Snoqualmie

• Safeway, North Bend

• Bank of America, North Bend

• Blockbuster, North Bend

• Starbucks, by Safeway Store, North Bend

• Starbucks, by Safeway Gas Station, North Bend

• Starbucks, Snoqualmie Ridge

• Ace Hardware, North Bend

Horvath said that boxes can be placed anywhere residents would like to donate space. To learn more about the event, call Horvath at (425) 444-2166, or e-mail to sandy@cherubs.org.