American soldiers serving in the Middle East should not have to worry about whether or not they can stay connected with their loved ones back home. A non-profit company, started by two teenagers, works to see they stay connected, and for the past five years, one Massachusetts fire department has been helping them do just that. 

"We work for a non-profit charity called Cell Phones for Soldiers which collects any unwanted cell phone, cell phone accessories, batteries, chargers, pagers, PDA's, and turns them into calling cards for our troops overseas," explains Patrick Connors of the Randolph Fire Department. 

Robbie and Brittany Bergquist decided to help soldiers and the skyrocketing cell phone charges they face when calling home. 

"In 2004 it was started by a 12 year old and a 13 year old brother and sister from Norwell, Massachusetts who happened to see a newspaper article about a soldier overseas who ran up a $7,000 cell phone bill and they wanted to try to help," Connors said. 

Unwanted cell phones are collected and recycled, which also helps the environment. 

"From what I understand the recycling company, they either refurbish and resell the cell phones to a second hand market or they take out all the heavy toxins and all the plastics are recycled. I guess some of the screens get recycled. So again it's an easy, easy charity to be involved with and be proud to be associated with," said Connors. 

The money generated from the cell phones and from donations is turned into calling cards and sent overseas by Cell Phones for Soldiers.   

The Randolph Fire Department has been one of the leading contributors to the program, collecting over 3,800 cell phones since November 2005. That equals almost $15,000 in calling cards. Their work has also inspired others in the community to help.  

"One of the nicest stories we've had, a guy from a rubbish company who read about us in a local news article about us collecting the cell phones for this Cell Phones for Soldiers. And he would end up picking up junk phones from the rubbish barrels and he showed up to the station with over 50 cell phones inside of like a month or two. He says, 'Here, these are for you,'" explained Connors. 

The department is encouraged by the notes, photos and gifts they receive from the soldiers they have helped. 

"We sent over some calling cards and our names to a soldier overseas." Connors continued, "He sent us this nice flag saying that this flag was flown on December 29 of 2009 over the skies of Iraq during a combat mission, and he requisitioned this flag for us for our contributions to this charity, Cell Phones for Soldiers. He also sent us over these pictures on his base over there, with one of our t-shirts showing that he got the cards. This just shows that the program works. There's nothing better than hearing a loved ones voice."

To contribute or partner with Cell Phones for Soldiers visitwww.cellphonesforsoldiers.com for more information. 



Author:Safiya Songhai - Video, Barbara Brooks - Text