More than 150,000 troops are serving overseas and are away from their families. Cell Phones for Soldiers and the members of Beta Alpha Xi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International honor Society at Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), a Maricopa Community College, are calling on all Americans to show support for these brave men and women by donating your unused cell phones. Cell Phones for Soldiers hopes to collect more than 50,000 cell phones to help keep troops connected with their families.
"For the loved ones of military personnel, hearing from their soldiers serving abroad is a comfort," said Brittany Bergquist, Cell Phones for Soldiers co-founder. "We're asking Americans to make a small sacrifice of support by donating their unused cell phones, providing families with a much-needed connection to their loved ones overseas."
Local residents can support the collection drive by donating their phones at Estrella Mountain Community College located at 3000 N. Dysart Rd. (on the northwest corner of Thomas and Dysart Roads).
Phi Theta Kappa members will collect cell phone donations on the following dates and times outside of the Komatke A Security Office. October 18, 2008 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.; and November 15, 2008 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Donations may also be dropped off at the Komatke A Security Office between 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, now through November 15, 2008. Donations are tax-deductible under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code.
"We're proud to show our support for the U.S. soldiers and to contribute to a worthy cause like Cell Phones for Soldiers," says EMCC Phi Theta Kappa Chapter President, Annette Wilson.
Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell, Massachusetts, with $21 of their own money. Since then, the registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization has raised almost $1 million in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas.
"We have been overwhelmed by the generous support of thousands of Americans who have helped our troops speak with their loved ones," says the teens' father, Bob Bergquist. "However, the need for support keeps growing as more soldiers are sent to the Middle East or asked to serve extended tours of duty."
Through increased fundraising efforts, the Bergquist family hopes to raise more than $9 million in the next five years to fund new programs, such as providing video phones and prepaid service to allow soldiers abroad to see their families on a regular basis.
The phones are sent to ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each donated phone - enough to provide an hour of talk time to soldiers abroad.
Approximately half of the phones ReCellular processes are reconditioned and resold to wholesale companies in more than 40 countries around the world. Phones and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and recycled.
About Cell Phones for Soldiers:
Cell Phones for Soldiers was created by Brittany & Robbie Bergquist of Norwell MA. After reading a story about a soldier who ran up a huge phone bill calling home from Iraq, these two teenagers decided to help out. They started by opening an account with $21.00 of their own money. They are collecting cash donations and old cell phones. The cell phones are recycled for cash and the proceeds are used to buy prepaid calling cards for our soldiers serving in the Middle East. Cell Phones For Soldiers is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Their efforts have motivated people and businesses around the country to donate to this worthy cause. Their goal is to provide every US soldier with a way to call home for free. For more information, please visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com.