Ron Heagy is an artist who happens to be a quadriplegic and who also paints with a paintbrush in his mouth. Ron has rolled out a series of collectible phonecards through Destiny Telecomm and the Destiny Telecomm Foundation to help fund his motivational speeches. Ron travels throughout the United States and speaks to schools, clubs, etc. at a minimal cost to them.

Hydeia L. Broadbent is twelve years old and an Aids patient. Hydeia has disclosed her illness in a very unique way; she has created the Hydeia L. Broadbent Foundation with the help of others to bring about Aids awareness. A prepaid phonecard program was designed and developed to help support Hydeia and her foundation. Hydeia donated her name and likeness for the card. The card was then distributed through the Destiny Telecomm Foundation to raise money for Aids awareness and Hydeia’s Foundation. Money is raised through the sale of the prepaid phonecards as well as through the residuals from recharging the phonecards.

Ron’s and Hydeia’s cards were created to help fund not only these individuals’ special abilities and gifts, but also their needs. Prepaid phonecard programs can also be designed to be sold at concerts or provided after donations to a cause are given. Examples include a prepaid phonecard developed to support the Farm Aid movement. During the TNN special, highlights of the Willie Nelson concert benefitting Farm Aid were shown. Katharine Monstream donated a water-color painting that was used on the front of the card. The televised solicitation resulted in the Farm Aid prepaid phonecard being sent to those individuals who called in their donations. A prepaid phonecard was also designed for a Tracy Lawrence Fan Club member and provided after a donation to her fan club.

Acknowledgments:
• JP Designs created the graphics for the phonecard backs.
• Worldwide Digital produced the cards.

Edited article Nelson, Ruth N. and Kelli D. Meyer. “Fundraisers Reach for the Stars.” Intele-CardNews, vol. 3, no. 4 (April 1997): 36 and 37.