AAA South Jersey and the non-profit Cell Phones For Soldiers are asking South Jersey residents to help troops call home by donating gently used cellular phones. Although the military landscape is ever changing, as many as 200,000 troops are currently serving in the United States military overseas around the world.
From now through Dec. 31, residents can donate their phones and/or tablets at AAA South Jersey’s four locations, including 700 Laurel Oak Road in Voorhees.
“AAA has been a strong supporter of our military and military personnel for many years, and this program provides a vital service to our men and women stationed overseas,” said Carol Scott, CEO of AAA South Jersey. “Through the donations made to Cell Phones for Soldiers, it gives our armed forces the opportunity to do something as simple as call home and hear the voices of their loved ones. We strongly encourage our members and the entire South Jersey community to donate their used cell phones to this very worthwhile program.”
Cell Phones For Soldiers was founded in 2004 and has since provided more than 216 million minutes of free talk time to servicemen and women stationed around the world through its calling card program, Minutes That Matter.
Funds raised from the recycling of cellular phones are used to purchase prepaid international calling cards.
On average, Cell Phones For Soldiers distributes 1,500 calling cards each week to bases around the world, care package programs, deployment ceremonies and VA hospitals.
For every donated phone valued at $5, Cell Phones For Soldiers is able to provide two and a half hours of free talk time to deployed troops.
Since 2004, more than 11.7 million phones have been recycled or repurposed. Approximately half of the phones processed are reconditioned and reused. Phones and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and responsibly recycled to reclaim materials.
For more information, please visit AAA.com or www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com.
