Cell Phones for Soldiers (CPFS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides cost-free communication services to active duty military members and veterans. The organization was founded in 2004 by Robbie and Brittany Bergquist, then 12 and 13 years old, with only $21. CPFS relies on generous donors for cash contributions and funds raised by the recycling of used cell phones.
Cell Phones for Soldiers Fast Facts
- In 2012, Cell Phones for Soldiers shared more than 515,000 communication tools with military families, providing more than 41 million minutes of talk time.
- The program collected and recycled more than 815,000 phones in 2012.
- Since 2004, Cell Phones for Soldiers has provided troops with 181 million minutes of free talk time.
- Since 2004, more than 10.8 million cell phones have been recycled, reducing the impact on landfills.
- Approximately 12,000 calling cards are mailed each week.
- A $5 donation warrants 2.5 hours of talk time; a $100.00 donation gives 50 hours or 3,000 minutes of talk time.
- There are approximately 15,000 collection points across the nation.
(Statistical information provided by the Center for American Progress)
- Due to extreme work conditions and lack of family interaction, 42 percent of military personnel have reported feeling like a "guest" in their home following deployment.
- Divorce rates nearly doubled for military members from 2001 to 2004 and have risen steadily ever since. CPFS works to keep families close by helping them communicate regularly during deployment.
- One in five returning troops from Iraq and Afghanistan show signs and symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), stemming from extreme work conditions and lack of emotional support.
- Thirty percent of deployed troops suffer from PTSD, depression or anxiety.
- Studies by the United States Army reveal a direct correlation between PTSD and family problems.
- The Military Benefits Deployment Center lists staying in touch with loved ones as a top-five "how to survive deployment" strategy.
- Currently in the United States, one in four homeless persons is a veteran.
Helping Heroes Home, an initiative of Cell Phones for Soldiers, provides emergency funds for returning veterans to alleviate communication challenges as well as physical, emotional and assimilation hardships.
Cell Phones for Soldiers founders, Robbie and Brittany Bergquist, recently introduced this program to aid veterans returning from recent deployment.
Helping Heroes Home will assist with:
- Communication needs:
- Home phone service
- Cell phone service
- Cell phone purchase
- Internet service - Prescribed medication
- Vehicle repair
- Home bill payment (water, electricity, rent/mortgage)
- Veteran who have served in active duty or been honorably discharged since 2001.
- Emergency funding may be granted for one of the following reasons:
- Family needs due to deployment
- Military related illness or injury
- Natural disaster
- Family emergency affecting the day-to-day livelihood of the veteran
Helping Heroes Home has partnered with numerous organizations to provide this service to veterans and also assist in identifying those most in need. Partners include:
- Regional Veterans Administrations
- Veterans Hospitals
- Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2)
The Need (Statistical information provided by the Center for American Progress)
- Currently in the United States, one in seven homeless persons is a veteran.
- One and a half million veterans are at risk of homelessness due to poverty, lack of support networks, and dismal living conditions in overcrowded or substandard housing.
- Thirty percent of veterans ages 18 to 24 were unemployed according to the unpublished 2011 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
- More than 968,000 of veterans ages 18 to 64 had been in poverty in the past year.
- More than one million veterans used mental health services in 2010.
- Each year more than 130 million cell phones are decommissioned.
- Cell phones contain hazardous chemicals and heavy metals which pollute the earth if placed in landfills.
- Donated devices are sent to ReCellular, the world's largest recycler of mobile devices.
BIOS
Education: Senior, Stonehill College, North Easton, Mass.
Major: Marketing, focus in Non-Profit
Hometown: Norwell, Mass.
Volunteer: Co-Founder & Director, Cell Phones for Soldiers
Interests: Volunteering, swimming, baking, arts and crafts, sailing, bowling, physical fitness
As a small child, Brittany Bergquist was not your average kid. A child of two public educators, Bergquist's philanthropic initiatives began early. Her first act of giving consisted of 10 inches of her hair for Locks of Love. By age 13, Bergquist's ambition and generosity began to shape her life. In 2004, together with her brother, Robbie, Bergquist co-founded Cell Phones for Soldiers, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization with a mission to provide cost-free communication services to active military members and veterans. To date, the Bergquists' efforts have provided troops with 181 million minutes of FREE talk time and prevented more than 10.8 million cell phones from ending up in landfills.
In 2012, the Bergquists' launched, Helping Heroes Home, a new initiative of Cell Phones for Soldiers that provides emergency funds for returning veterans to alleviate communication challenges as well as physical, emotional and assimilation hardships.
Now, age 22 and a senior at Stonehill College, Bergquist spends her free time improving the quality of life for thousands of servicemen and women. As co-founder and director of Cell Phones for Soldiers, Bergquist travels both nationally and internationally for media appearances, speaking engagements and more. At Stonehill, she is a civic ambassador for the college and is working on her bachelor's degree in marketing with a concentration in non-profit management. In the summer of 2011, she interned at General Motors where she worked on the GM Military Discount program. Last summer, she worked as an executive stores intern for Target and is currently interning with the Boston Bruins in their Community Relations Department.
Bergquist is the recipient of the 2011 Jefferson Award for public service and the 2011 SELF Magazine Women Doing Good Award. In 2010, she received the Amway Positivity Award. Her 2009 community service honors include Mass. Conference for Women Be the Change Award, L'Oreal Paris Woman of Worth Award, Sally Hansen/Glamour Magazine Best of You Award, AT&T Scholarship, Build-A-Bear Huggable Hero Award, D.A.R. National Youth Award, D.A.R. Northeast Region Youth Award, Best Buy @ 15 Scholarship, Prudential Spirit of Community Award, VFW Voice of Democracy, Abigail and John Adams Scholar, Prudential Spirit of Community Award, Comcast Leaders and Achievers Award, AXA Achievement Award, VFW Voice of Democracy.
Education: Junior, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Boston, Mass.
Major: Sports Management
Hometown: Norwell, Mass.
Volunteer: Co-Founder & Director, Cell Phones for Soldiers
Interests: Soccer, golf, sailing, track, baseball, basketball, hockey, travel
In 2012, the Bergquists' launched, Helping Heroes Home, a new initiative of Cell Phones for Soldiers that provides emergency funds for returning veterans to alleviate communication challenges as well as physical, emotional and assimilation hardships.
Bergquist, now 21, is a junior at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. He is an avid soccer player and currently plays mid-field for the University of Massachusetts club soccer team. When not on the field, Bergquist aids in the growth and promotion of Cell Phones for Soldiers. As co-founder and director of Cell Phones for Soldiers, Bergquist travels both nationally and internationally for media appearances, speaking engagements and more. He is a regular at the local post office and an expert in overseas military shipments. In addition to running a nonprofit, Bergquist spent last summer interning with General Motors and is spending this semester studying abroad at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia.
Bergquist is the recipient of community service honors to include: Jefferson Award for public service, D.A.R. Community Northeast Service Award, D.A.R. Youth Leader Award, Build-a-Bear Huggable Hero Award, Kohl's Kids Who Care, AT&T National Scholarship Award, Microsoft/USO Youth Leader Award, Next Step "Super Teen", National Conference on Citizenship Award, Angel Soft Angel's In Action Award.

Resides: Norwell, Mass.
Hometown: Hingham, Mass.
Spouse: Gail
Children: Courtney, Brittany and Robbie
Volunteer: President, Cell Phones for Soldiers Occupation: Middle School Science Teacher-Norwell Middle School
In 2004, he helped his children Robbie and Brittany, then 12 and 13, found Cell Phones for Soldiers. To date, the Bergquists' efforts have provided 181 million minutes of prepaid calling cards to troops and prevented more than 10.8 million cell phones from ending up in landfills.
In 2012, the family launched, Helping Heroes Home, a new initiative of Cell Phones for Soldiers that provides emergency funds for returning veterans to alleviate communication challenges as well as physical, emotional and assimilation hardships.
A life-long Massachusetts resident, Bergquist grew up in Hingham, Mass., and earned both his Bachelor's of Science in elementary education and his master's degree in education from Bridgewater State College. He and his wife, Gail, have lived in Norwell, Mass., since 1987.
As president of Cell Phones for Soldiers, Bergquist manages the accounting and decision making for the organization. He spends an average of 30 hours per week on conference calls, balancing donations and recording the balance sheet of the organization.
In his rare free time, Bergquist enjoys traveling, sailing, painting murals and watercolors, home improvement projects and spending time with family and friends.

Resides: Norwell, Mass.
Hometown: Weymouth, Mass.
Spouse: Robert
Children: Courtney, Brittany and Robbie
Volunteer: Clerk, Cell Phones for Soldiers Occupation: Special Education Teacher-Weymouth High School
In 2004, Bergquist helped her children, Robbie and Brittany, then 12 and 13, found Cell Phones for Soldiers. To date, the Bergquists' efforts have provided 181 million minutes of prepaid calling cards to troops and prevented more than 10.8 million cell phones from ending up in landfills.
In 2012, the family launched, Helping Heroes Home, a new initiative of Cell Phones for Soldiers that provides emergency funds for returning veterans to alleviate communication challenges as well as physical, emotional and assimilation hardships.
A life-long Massachusetts resident, Bergquist grew up in Weymouth, Mass., and attended Bridgewater State College where she earned her Bachelor of Science in special education. She went on to earn her master's degree in general education from Cambridge College and has raised her family in Norwell for the past 23 years.
Bergquist is the clerk of Cell Phones for Soldiers and handles communication and decision making needs. On any given week, Bergquist contributes 30 hours of time to the organization. While not managing Cell Phones for Soldiers, she is a full-time special education teacher at Weymouth High School where she graduated in 1974.
In her rare free time, Bergquist enjoys traveling, reading, home decorating, cooking and spending time with family and friends.







