People’s Credit Union Collects Cellphones for Soldiers
Saturday, August 06, 2011
One of the hardest aspects of having a close family member or friend in the US military overseas is not being able to communicate daily with them. The People’s Credit Union in Middletown, Rhode Island is on a mission to make this a little easier by helping overseas soldiers to connect with their families and loved ones.
They are doing this by collecting old used cell phones from the community through the program “Cell Phones for Soldiers”. This program was started in 2008 and is collaborating for the first time with the Credit Union’s Community Enhancement Committee (CEC). The collected cell phones don't get used themselves. They're recycled, and the organization uses the money from that to buy hour-long calling cards, which the soldiers can call home with. Over the past 3 years, this program has given out over 500,000 calling cards and received close to $2 million of donations.
First year with the program
“This is the first year we are doing Cell Phones for Soldiers and we think it is such an important cause," said Tracy Glover, Chair of the CEC. "We are trying to collect as many used cell phones as possible to help our troops serving overseas stay connected to their loved ones back home."
“Every community in Rhode Island has men and women serving abroad, which makes this project really hit home.”
Glover expects there to be a great turnout, and encourages community participation emphasizing just how easy and simple it is to help this cause. “Everyone has old cell phones lying around," she said. "Instead of stuffing them in a drawer donate them to this great cause! We will take care of shipping them out; all everyone needs to do is drop them off at one of our six branches. This is a great way to thank the men and women serving our country.”
Throughout the next few months People’s Credit Union will be collecting used cell phones for Cell Phones for Soldiers. Used cell phones can be dropped off at any of People’s six branch locations or you can pick up a postage paid envelope at any branch and mail the phone in yourself. Cell phones will be collected until September 30.
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