ALBANY – More than 1,800 used mobile devices were collected over the last month in the Cell Phones for Soldiers program that provides free talk time to deployed troops through calling cards. They all came from residents of the 46th State Senate District, represented by George Amedore, who partnered in the effort with AT&T.
The public was able to drop off any used mobile devices at collection bins at company stores as well as other locations.
For every donated phone valued at just $5, the campaign is able to provide 2 ½ hours of free talk time to soldiers.
“I can think of no better gift this holiday season than to help the brave men and women who are serving our nation stay connected to their loved ones back home,” said Amedore. “Their holidays will be a bit brighter thanks to the generosity of residents from all over the district who donated an old or unwanted cell phone.”
Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded in 2004 by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist at the ages of 12 and 13 after they heard the story of a local soldier with a cell phone bill that totaled nearly $8,000. They decided to help this one man with just $21 of their own money and Cell Phones for Soldiers was born from there.
