Cell Phones for Soldiers

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department is accepting used cellular telephones for donation to Cell Phones for Soldiers, which will sell the telephones to a recycling company and use the proceeds to buy pre-paid telephone calling cards that will be issued to members of the United States armed forces who are serving outside the United States.

Lexington County Sheriff James Metts encourages citizens to donate their used cellular telephones. Donations of used cellular telephones will be accepted through September.

Used cellular telephones must include a battery in order for the phone to be accepted for donation, Metts said. However, the phone does not need to be in working order. Personal information and photographs should be deleted from any cellular telephone that will be donated.

Metts said used cellular telephones can be brought to the following facilities:

• Lexington County James R. Metts Law Enforcement Complex, 521 Gibson Road, Lexington
• North Region Service Center, 111 Lincreek Drive, Columbia
• South Region Service Center, 102 Airport Road, Pelion
• Crooked Creek Park, 1098 Old Lexington Highway, Chapin

Sgt. David Amick is coordinating the effort to donate used cellular telephones to Cell Phones for Soldiers, Metts said. Amick supervises deputies in the Chapin Patrol District. Citizens who want additional information about donating used cellular telephones can contact Amick at (803) 223-3778.

In 2011, the Sheriff’s Department in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Corrections and Lake Murray ABATE donated 3,005 cellular telephones, 1,602 cellular telephone chargers and $720 to Cell Phones for Soldiers, Metts said.