Meet the Cell Phones for Soldiers Team: Gail Bergquist

For those of you who have been a Cell Phones for Soldiers supporter for years, you’ve probably interacted with the team and ultimately family that makes the program possible.  

Running a nonprofit is no easy task and requires dedication and perseverance. No one knows that better than Gail Bergquist, who is the day-to-day “manager” of the Cell Phones for Soldiers program. On any given week, the life-long Massachusetts resident 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.

Like many working women, Gail balances the day-to-day tasks of motherhood, household chores and her career, all while managing one of the country’s growing military charities.

In 2004, she helped her children, Robbie and Brittany, then 12 and 13, found Cell Phones for Soldiers. To date, Cell Phones for Soldiers has provided troops with more than 150 million minutes of talk time and kept nearly 10 million cell phones out of landfills.

In her rare free time, Gail enjoys traveling, reading, home decorating, cooking and spending time with family and friends.

Enjoy a few thoughts directly from Gail that will not only motivate you to do more. but also showcases the true passion behind Cell Phones for Soldiers.

Why is Cell Phones for Soldiers still meaningful to you?

“I truly can’t picture what my life was like before CPFS. It has been an experience that I would not change for the world. It’s a huge commitment of time and energy, but all I can think about is how difficult it is for troops and their families. That keeps me inspired and motivated to continue.

“Cell Phones for Soldiers is still meaningful to me because although troops have returned from Iraq, we still have military members recuperating in hospitals and serving our country at military bases around the world.

“The Cell Phones for Soldiers program is near and dear to all of us and has brought us closer together as a family; we have a common goal and mission in life. As a parent, I couldn’t be prouder that all of my children have continued to put forth incredible effort to help others and demonstrate compassion in all they do. They have become wonderful young adults who truly care about the needs of others. I feel that that is the greatest benefit from the hard work that my husband Bob and I have put in to assist them with their mission.”

If you could encourage supporters to do one thing, what would it be?

“I would encourage our supporters to continue their mission to assist Cell Phones for Soldiers by spreading the word about the program and letting troops know that we are here to support them with free phone cards.

“I also would encourage supporters to hold cell phone recycling drives; participate in company matching gift programs, and make donations if they can…every dollar counts.”

 What is your long-term vision for the program?

“CPFS has become like another member of the family. Along with my husband Bob and children, Courtney, Brittany and Robbie, we have nurtured the program from its infancy and continue to want to see it thrive and grow.

“As a family, we continue to feel strongly that we can’t forget those who currently serve as well as our veterans. I feel that it’s our duty as Americans to make a difference in their lives and thank them for all that they do to protect us.

“We are planning to launch a new program in the spring in order to assist returning troops with their communication needs.

“Re-integrating into society is difficult for anyone when you’re far from home, but for service men and women, it is complicated by factors such as surviving with PTSD, finding a job or home, and dealing with doctors’ appointments due to injuries.

“As a family, we are committed to continuing to help and look forward to many years of providing needed communication services for our brave service men and women and their loved ones.

“I will be retiring from 35 years as a special education teacher in June of 2013. I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my life and the additional time and energy that I’ll have to continue my work with Cell Phones for Soldiers.”

###