Cell Phones for Soldiers Kicks Off Memorial Day "Yellow Ribbon" Collection Drive

Cell Phones for Soldiers Calls on All Americans to Support Troops by Donating Unused Cell Phones

Norwell, MA (PRWEB) May 27, 2007 -- More than 150,000 troops serving overseas will spend this Memorial Day away from their families. Cell Phones for Soldiers is calling on all Americans to support these brave men and women by donating unused cell phones to the "Yellow Ribbon" collection drive. From May 21 through July 4, Cell Phones for Soldiers hopes to collect over 50,000 cell phones to help keep troops connected with their families.

"For the loved ones of soldiers serving abroad, Memorial Day is much more than a long holiday weekend," says 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."

However the need for support keeps growing as more soldiers are sent to the Middle East or are asked to serve extended tours of duty.

Cell Phones for Soldiers is inviting Americans to support the Yellow Ribbon campaign in one of three ways:

- Existing Cell Phones for Soldiers collection sites are invited to download the Yellow Ribbon sign from cellphonesforsoldiers.com, for display in their business
- Businesses and grassroots organizations are invited to start their own collection drive, and can visit cellphonesforsoldiers.com for collection tips, and instructions for prepaid shipping of collected phones
- Individuals are invited to donate their cell phones to Yellow Ribbon collection sites, or by downloading a prepaid shipping label from cellphonesforsoldiers.com

Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell, Mass., with $21 of their own money. Since then, the registered 501c3 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 are 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.

Phones donated to Cell Phones for Soldiers are sent to Michigan-based ReCellular, which pays up to $50 for each donated phone - enough to provide twenty-five hours of calling cards to soldiers abroad.

Approximately half of the phones ReCellular processes are reconditioned and resold to wholesale companies in over 40 countries around the world. Phones and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and recycled to reclaim materials, including:

• Gold, silver and platinum from circuit boards
• Copper wiring from phone chargers
• Nickel, iron, cadmium and lead from battery packs
• Plastic from phone cases and accessories

###

Post Comment:
Trackback URL: http://ca.prweb.com/pingpr.php/U3VtbS1TcXVhLUNvdXAtU2luZy1UaGlyLVplcm8=

cell phones phones soldiers cell phone yellow ribbon yellow ribbon americans bergquist

Bookmark -  Del.icio.us | Digg | Furl It | Spurl | RawSugar | Simpy | Shadows | Blink It | My Web

• ReCellular and American Red Cross Announce Cell Phone Recycling Campaign 2008-06-01
• 40,000 Cell Phones to Be Replaced on Earth Day; ReCellular Provides Five Reasons to Recycle Cell Phones 2008-04-20
• CTIA and ReCellular Bring 40,000 Reasons for Wireless Recycling to CTIA Wireless 2008 2008-03-30
• Donate Used Cell Phones to OldPhonesforCharity.com, The Easiest Way to Help a Worth Cause 2008-02-03
• ReCellular Builds on Successful Used Mobile Phones Auction Program with New CDMA and TDMA Offerings 2008-02-03