Americans underestimate the privilege that a simple call can bring. Brittany Bergquist (a young adult sister) and Robbie Bergquist (a teenager brother) heard this privilege loudly.
Their 501(c), (3) non-profit was founded in 2004 with $21 from their own funds. “Cell Phones for Soldiers,”The charity has been able to raise nearly $1 million in donations since then and has distributed more that 500,000 prepaid calling card to soldiers overseas.
“We’re asking Americans to make a small contribution of support by donating their unused cell phones, providing families with a much-needed connection to their loved ones overseas,”Brittany Bergquist is the Cell Phones for Soldiers cofounder.
Cell Phones for Soldiers, and Pak Mail Centers across the country, are asking Americans to donate their old cell phones to help the 150,000 soldiers serving overseas. Cell Phones for Soldiers sells the phones and proceeds go to purchase prepaid calling cards to keep soldiers connected to their families. Through partnerships with companies such as Pak Mail, the goal is to collect 50,000 mobile phones with multiple drop-off locations.
Bergquist’s family plans to increase fundraising efforts to raise over $9 million over the next five-years to fund new programs like video phones and prepaid service that allows soldiers overseas to see their loved ones on a regular basis.
ReCellular pays Cell Phones to Soldiers for every phone donated. The money is sufficient to provide one hour of talktime to soldiers abroad. ReCellular processes approximately half of all phones and has reconditioned them for resale to wholesale companies in more than 40 countries. Phones and other components that are not re-usable are taken apart and recycled in order to recover materials such as gold, silver, and copper wiring.
More than 400 Pak Mail Centres are located throughout the country and serve as drop-off points to Soldiers who need Cell Phones. Visit www.pakmail.com to find the closest Pak Mail location. www.PakMail.com. Please visit this page for more information about the Cell Phones for Soldiers Program. www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com.
