Have you ever wondered what to do with your old cell phone? Certainly you could trade it back into your phone carrier and maybe get $10 towards your next phone purchase or you could do like most and shove it in that infamous junk drawer just in case you need a spare. However, neither scenario offers the gratification that comes with donating to a worthwhile cause like Cell Phones for Soldiers (CPFS) (http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/).
Robbie and Brittany Bergquist
Started in 2004 by Robbie and Brittany Bergquist at the ages of 12 and 13, CPFS was created to provide U.S. troops serving overseas free communication tools in the form of calling cards (Cell Phones for Soldiers [CPFS], 2009). These calling card minutes allow soldiers to talk with their loved ones back home without the burden of expensive overseas phone bills. In addition, the donated cell phones are recycled helping to reduce the impact on landfills (CPFS, 2009).
Since its inception, the family-run non-profit organization has raised over $7 million and supplied the troops with over 150 million minutes of free talk time (CPFS, 2009). In the past eight years CPFS has received support from sponsors such as Chevrolet, Comcast, and BJ’s Wholesale Club (CPFS, 2009). The support has been immense and the soldiers and their families are truly grateful. Yet, Robbie and Britney want to do more.
With the recent withdraw of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan more and more soldiers are returning home to new challenges. After being away from home for months and in many cases years, veterans need assistance in returning to civilian life. As a result, last month Robbie and Britney started “Helping Heroes Home.” This new program is designed to provide emergency funds to returning veterans for basic necessities such as rent, groceries, and tools necessary to gain good employment (Helping Heroes Home, 2012).
The program was launched with great support from current CPFS sponsor AT&T. Started on Wednesday, June 27th AT&T donates $2 (up to $50,000) to CPFS for watching a two minute video (Helping Heroes Home, 2012). In addition to watching the video, individuals are prompted to login to Facebook so they can share the link and invite friends to watch as AT&T will also contribute an additional $1 for inviting friends (Helping Heroes Home, 2012).
I have already viewed the video three times and invited multiple friends. The website posts the current amount of money raised thus far and since I began writing this blog it has increased by $50. To date, “Helping Heroes Home” has raised over $22,000 through the support of AT&T (Helping Heroes Home, 2012). Bringing the program almost half way to its goal in less than just a month.
CPFS is an amazing organization set out to support those who put their lives on the line for liberty and freedom. Soldiers returning from overseas duty need our help. These men and women of the U.S. Military volunteer their time. Now it is time to volunteer ours. Clicking on the link below will only take two minutes of your time, yet it can make a lifetime of difference for a soldier.
http://www.causes.com/causes/639835-connect-for-good/actions/1661108#
Sources:
Cell Phones for Soldiers. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/
Helping Heroes Home. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.causes.com/causes/639835-connect-for-\good/actions/1661108
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