A campaign is on in Huntington to help soldiers stay connected, and Leg. William R. Spencer, M.D., (D-Centerport) is encouraging as many people as possible to contribute.
Spencer, along with Cell Phones For Soldiers, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit, are asking Huntington residents to help troops call home by donating old cellular phones.
As many as 200,000 troops are currently serving in the U.S, military around the world. By donating to Cell Phones For Soldiers, Huntington residents can provide troops with the ability to connect with loved ones from home.
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The campaign runs July 15-Aug 15.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to thank a soldier for their selfless act and let them know just how much their time and sacrifice is appreciated,” Spencer said. “Our goal is to collect 300 old cell phones in 30 days and, I am confident that our wonderful community of giving people will make that happen!”
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Collection box locations include:
- Office of Legislator Spencer: 15 Park Circle Suite 209, Centerport
- Halesite Fire Department: 1 New York Ave, Halesite
- Huntington Fire Department: 1 Leverich Pl, Huntington
- Northport Fire Department: 204 Main St, Northport
- Greenlawn Fire Department: 23 Boulevard Ave, Greenlawn
- Cold Spring Harbor Library: 95 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor
- Northport Library: 151 Laurel Avenue, Northport
- East Northport Library: 185 Larkfield Road, East Northport
- Harborfields Public Library: 31 Broadway, Greenlawn
Founded in 2004, Cell Phones For Soldiers has since provided more than 204 million minutes of free talk time to servicemen and women stationed around the world through its calling card program, “Minutes That Matter,” according to a news release. Funds raised from the recycling of cellular phones are used to purchase prepaid international calling cards. On average, Cell Phones For Soldiers distributes 7,500 calling cards each week to bases around the world, care package programs, deployment ceremonies and VA hospitals.
Donated phones are sent to Mindful eCycling for recycling. For every donated phone valued at $5, Cell Phones For Soldiers is able to provide two and a half hours of free talk time to deployed troops. Approximately half of the phones Mindful eCycling processes 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; plastic from phone cases and accessories.Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
