Help the Troops Call Home: Donate Cell Phones, Tablets

In honor of Veterans Day, State Senator Terrence Murphy, AT&T and United for the Troops have teamed up with the nonprofit Cell Phones For Soldiers asking the community to help troops call home by donating cellular phones and tablets.

Proceeds from the recycled devices are used to buy long distance calling cards for troops at home and abroad.

Although the military landscape is ever changing, as many as 200,000 troops are serving in the United States military overseas around the world. By donating to Cell Phones For Soldiers, local residents and businesses can provide a lifeline for America’s bravest.

Beginning today and lasting until Dec. 7, the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, residents and businesses can donate their unwanted cell phones and/or tablets at the following locations:

• AT&T Store, 134 E. Main Street, Mt. Kisco
• Putnam County Clerk’s Office, 40 Gleneida Avenue, Carmel
• New Castle Town Hall, 200 South Greeley, Chappaqua
• Mt. Pleasant Town Hall , One Town Hall Plaza, Valhalla
• Mt. Pleasant Community Center, 125 Lozza Drive, Valhalla
• Buchanan Village Hall,236 Tate Avenue, Buchanan
• Pawling Resource Center, 126 East Main Street, Pawling

Senator Murphy said, “We are the land of the free because of the brave men and women protecting us everyday overseas. I am proud to partner with AT&T to provide Cell Phones for Soldiers which is a small way we as a community can thank these brave soldiers. We wish them all a safe return home and hope these phones will make this holiday season a bit easier.”

Cell Phones For Soldiers was founded in 2004 by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist at the ages of 12 and 13, respectively. The charity has since provided more than 216 million minutes of free talk time to servicemen and women stationed around the world through its calling card program, Minutes That Matter. Funds raised from the recycling of cellular phones are used to purchase prepaid international calling cards. On average, Cell Phones For Soldiers distributes 1,500 calling cards each week to military bases around the world, and supports care package programs, deployment ceremonies and VA hospitals.

Since 2004, more than 11.7 million phones have been recycled or repurposed. Approximately half of the phones processed are reconditioned and reused. Phones and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and responsibly 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

”Each year we have been humbled by the number of people and organizations like AT&T and New York State Senator Murphy that take part in this important initiative to support our military members,” said co-founder Robbie Bergquist. “The communication gap between those serving and their families is a crucial need that Cell Phones For Soldiers is committed to addressing for years to come.”

Luke Rathschmidt, who served in the 82nd Airborne in Iraq, said, “Providing free calls to soldiers overseas is a valiant effort by Senator Murphy and AT&T. For many soldiers, the simple task of calling home to talk to family, especially during the holiday season, is often too expensive. Cell Phones for Soldiers provides this important service for free which goes a long way in maintaining high morale of our soldiers and makes their transition back home easier.”

Jim Rathsmidt, who founded United for the Troops with his wife Pat said, “I applaud Senator Murphy and AT&T for helping our soldiers serving overseas stay in touch with their family and friends. As a father of a veteran, I know firsthand how important it is for our service members to be able to maintain the bonds from home which make reintegration to civilian life easier.”

For every donated device worth at least $5, Cell Phones For Soldiers is able to provide two and a half hours of free talk time to deployed troops via calling cards.

To prepare your mobile phone for donation, here are some tips on how to erase all personal information that may be stored on it to protect your privacy:

• Remove your phone’s SIM card. Erase your address book, photos, messages and other stored information
• Restore the device factory settings on your device
• For instructions on how to do this, go to owner’s manual or to the manufacturer’s web site

For more information on Cell Phones For Soldiers, visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com.

PHOTO: kicking off the Cell Phones for Soldiers drive/courtesy Sen. Murphy’s office