skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

Cell Phones for Soldiers

14 years ago

I received an envelope in the mail last week and on it was written "Cell Phones for Soldiers. Please donate your old cell phones. Since 2004, teens Brittany and Robbie Bergquist and Cell Phones for Soldiers have raised millions of dollars to help our troops call home. Proceeds from donated cell phones are used to purchase prepaid calling cards for American troops. Your mission: help our troops call home."

On the package are cell phone recycling instructions:

1) deactivate phone(s) and turn off power

2) Keep battery attached to phone (if battery is not attached to phone, place tape over terminal ends.

3) Place phone(s) in envelop, seal, and drop in mailbox

The address on the envelope is:

Cell Phone Recycling Center

2555 Bishop Cir W

Dexter, MI 48130-9916

The envelope I received didn't require postage - said no postage required if mailed in the United States. I suppose you could go to your office supply store and pick up a mailing envelope, address it, and take it to the Post Office to mail it.

I had 4 old cell phones laying around that I mailed in. Thought this might be a way for me to provide a little way to help the troops keep in touch with family and friends.

Just thought I would pass this on.....

Here is a link that might be useful: Cell Phones for Soldiers

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

mariend
14 years ago
Be careful. I just went to Wise Giving, a publication of the BBB. They investigate hundreds of charties the they cannot rate this one because the charity declined to be evaluated or did not respond. So they may not be really sending the phones to our military personal. Check with your local phone company, USO (which is approved) and some Veterans groups. I know there are several legimate groups out there.
For any charity, go to bbb.org/charity
or BBB Wise Giving Alliance.
Thanks
Marie
mariend
14 years ago
me again. Please google cell phone for soldiers. There are alot of scams out their. If they are not properly deactived, who ever gets them could and will run up a bill and you have to pay it.
Check with your local phone company in deactiviting the phone first.
Related Discussions
Transfering cell phone contacts to new smart phone?
Q
Comments (6)
I believe both do have bluetooth but I never learned to use it. I will check it out. owbist; I always forget about youtube. However, I didn't see anything useful in your list. Remember, I had essentially succeeded in making a sim card transfe, but the data was not complete. The one on point post from your list also indicated incomplete data fields. I actually found that my transfer was worse than I originally thought. It only transferred the contact name and lost both the fact that the next contact was identical and thus a subset, but also lost any indication of the type of phone (work, home etc) and listed ALL entries as 'mobile'.
...See More
cell phones, smart phones, iphones oh my!
Q
Comments (18)
1. There will be a sense of disconnection Smartphones have dramatically changed the way we communicate with other people. They made it easier and more accessible. Technology used to limit us as we were forced to languish in front of a landline while waiting for a call. Today people have become much closer to each other. Now, in order to talk with the desired person, a couple of touches on the smartphone are enough. However, the absence of this miracle gadget will make you feel separated from the world, which often leads to an acute feeling of loneliness. In addition, you may succumb to incessant boredom. 2. It will become harder to navigate without GPS The days of people using maps to get to the right place are almost gone. All smartphones are equipped with GPS, which helps us to reach our destination without much difficulty and wandering. Life has actually become much easier thanks to GPS, because this navigator shows us the right direction right down to the smallest turn. Therefore, in the absence of access to the global system, many people will not be able to correctly and quickly navigate in an unfamiliar area. Navigators have become such an integral part of our lives that most travel enthusiasts and those who often go on business trips can hardly imagine their lives without a smartphone with its indispensable GPS.
...See More
For a good cause....
Q
Comments (6)
Great idea! We donated our old cell phones to a local women's shelter, as they are chronically underfunded and always in need. The resale shop barely makes a dent, but most of my clothes that I don't or won't wear go there too. I love to support our soldiers, but the shelter is very close to my heart.
...See More
Scary cell phone battery story........so I need some cell phone advice
Q
Comments (20)
This isn't a phone brand issue ... this is a battery issue. I've had a Macbook battery that did a partial melt ... my ipad battery is having issues ... my sister had a macbook battery that also charred ... so you should all probably get rid of your Apple products too! My son was also recently having battery issues with his Google phone overheating. Again, this is a battery technology issue. My husband is into remote control planes and he charges most of his batteries in special heat/explosion resistant containers. Just the nature of the technology. I'll continue to buy ipads and I'll continue to buy Samsung phones. My son will probably buy another Google phone. When you look at the total number of phones that have sold worldwide, the number of defective products is very small. I even owned the infamous Samsung Note 7, mine had no issues, but were still recalled. I've owned the Samsung Galaxy 7 without issues and will probably upgrade soon to a Note 9 or Galaxy 10, or wait for the Note 10 later this year.
...See More
sephia
Original Author
14 years ago
The actual phones aren't sent to the soldiers - the cell phones are sold to a company that recycles them. Of course, properly deactivate them. The money is used to purchase calling cards that are sent to the soldiers serving. AT&T is a featured sponsor and has donated more than $500,000 worth of prepaid phone cards to Cell Phones for Soldiers. This organization is a non-profit 501(c)(3) company and is listed on the Charities and Non-Profit section on the IRS website -

http://www.irs.gov/app/pub-78/search.do?nameSearchTypeStarts=true&names=cell+phones&nameSearchTypeAll=false&city=&state=All...&country=USA&deductibility=all&dispatchMethod=search&submitName=Search

Whatever organization you choose to use, providing a means for soldiers serving our country to communicate with family and loved ones is always much appreciated by the troops.
lydia1959
14 years ago
Sephia is correct in her explanation. I sent them a few old phones a few months ago.

Related Stories

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD Houzz Tour: Retired Soldier Creates Her Dream Home in Sweden

By A

A Swedish family's fantasy of a rural retreat becomes a reality after years of renovations

HOME TECH Coming Soon: Furniture That Charges Your Phone

Countertops, tables and home appliances with wireless charging capability mean less clutter — and zero effort powering your phone

HOME TECH 6 Sound Solutions for the iPhone Home

Listen up: An iPhone and one of these stylish audio systems let your music look as good as it sounds

VINTAGE STYLE Dial Into Old Phones for Decor With Character

By Mary Jo Bowling

Give a nostalgic nod to the past with vintage telephones, working or not. Booths and sawdust optional.

HOME TECH Smart Phones Hold the Keys to Front Doors

Knock, knock. Who's there? A brand-new generation of hardware and app combos that let you play doorman from anywhere

HOME TECH Unlock Your Smart Phone's Front-Door Powers

Take your locks and keys into the digital age with 3 solutions that put convenience and new capabilities on your doorstep

ORGANIZING Charging Stations Lead Tidiness Battle

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

Keep your cell phone, camera and other electronics handy and juiced up without a tangled mess of cords

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Time to Buy a Clock

By Two Story Cottage

Cell phone screens just can’t compete with the charm of analog timepieces like these

HOME TECH Here's a Bright Idea: Smart Bulbs for Better Lighting

Lightbulbs that can change brightness and color with a cell phone command show flashes of design brilliance

LIFE Table Manners for Modern-Day Dining

By Laura Gaskill

Elbows and cell phones? Maybe. Forgetting to say 'thank you'? No way. Our mealtime etiquette guide takes the guesswork out of group dining

Sponsored

More Discussions

What are you reading? April 2024 Edition

70

Few People Get Shingles More Than Twice

13

Friday Music Theme (FNM) Earth Day/Arbor Day

29

Smile today - 4/29/24

4

Monday's Daily Quiz

0