Cell Phones for Soldiers

Cell Phones for Soldiers

July 15, 2005

Since last year, Brittany, 13, and Robbie, 12, Bergquist, brother and sister started the Cell Phones for Soldiers drive, attempting to help purchase phone cards for soldiers across the sea. Since the start of their program, the two have helped raise $100,000 for calls.

After hearing the story about a soldier who ran up a huge phone bill calling home from Iraq, the two decided they wanted to help ease the financial burden of the soldiers. They took their snack money to the bank to open a new account for the soldier's fund and right away the bank donated $500 to the account.

Now there are many donation sites through out the United States for cash or people can donate old cell phones, which the kids recycle for cash. The money is used to purchase pre-paid calling cards, which are distributed to the deployed troops.

Although the kids are giving up a lot of their free time, they are excited to help. Brittany agreed that there is a temptation to stop when she misses a school or personal event because of the program's responsibilities. "But then I think of the soldiers and the sacrifices they're making for us, and it's easy to keep going," she said.

Robbie said that they will continue operation "until all the soldiers come home safely -- and even then, we're probably not going to stop, because there always are soldiers who are deployed."

There are plenty of ways to get involved. Check out the Cells for Soldiers website at www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com to find out where a donation drop off is, where to send a donation or how to become a drop off spot for cell phones. The program was granted non-profit status so all donations are tax deductible.

Click here to find out more about cell phone service.