Connection to the World Wide Web, access to e-mail and the ability to play games are just a few of the latest features of cellular phone technology.

Not long after getting that new phone, however, buyers soon may find that their phones quickly are outdated. Some might even think their phone is no longer any good.

But before you think of shelving that old phone, you might want to consider putting it to better use.

U.S. Cellular is collecting wireless phones through its Community Action Recycling Program to raise money for the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund.

“People don’t know what to do with their old phones,” said Julia Eystad, who oversees sales operations. “Now it can be used for a good cause.”

U.S. Cellular will take any phone except bag phones and old car phones, Eystad said.

“We don’t care about the battery or the charge,” Eystad said.

The phones collected by U.S. Cellular will be sold to ReCellular, a company that buys used cellular phones for about $1 each.

U.S. Cellular then will donate all of the proceeds to the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund, which gives money to needy dependents of those killed or permanently disabled in the Sept. 11 attacks. The money must be used for college education.

“The company was looking for a way to help or do something,” Eystad said. “We wanted a good way to help people down the road. It was a perfect fit.”

The scholarship will be available to all eligible families that apply.

In the DeKalb area, used cell phones can be donated at the U.S. Cellular store, 2300 Sycamore Road, or dropped off at The Phone Store, 1022 W. Lincoln Highway.

The Phone Store has initiated a local collection by donating 30 of its own phones.

“The turnout should be pretty good,” Phone Store owner Tim Norris said. “It’s pretty nice for the individual to turn it in since it’s towards a good cause. We’re going to promote it pretty heavily.”

The phone collection runs through March 31.

The goal is to collect 10,000 phones. So far 6,600 have been donated.

“There is a good shot that we can exceed our goal,” Eystad said.