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Quick Facts
Since 2004 Cell Phones For Soldiers has…
Provided more than 400 million minutes of free talk time.
Recycled more than 20 million cell phones, reducing the impact on landfills.
Mailed approximately 2,500 calling cards each week.
Since July 2012, Helping Heroes Home has assisted more than 5,000 veterans and their families with emergency funding.
Our Story...
At 12 and 13, Robbie and Brittany Bergquist hear the story of a soldier returning from Iraq with an $8,000 phone bill. They couldn’t believe that a man serving his country was not able to call his family for free. With just $21, Cell Phones For Soldiers was born.
April 2004 
Cell Phones For Soldiers co-founders capitalize on a new fundraising initiative: recycling gently-used cell phones and utilizing the proceeds to fund the nonprofit’s mission.
May 2004 
In just five months, Cell Phones For Soldiers distribute $100,000 worth of calling cards to deployed troops.
November 2004 
Teen People magazine profile Brittany Bergquist for “20 Teens Who Will Change the World” as one of the most inspiring teenagers who will change the world in entertainment, politics, sports, the environment and the media.
December 2005 
Brittany Bergquist meets with President George Bush and members of America Supports You to share her goals and mission for Cell Phones For Soldiers.
March 2006 
Cell Phones For Soldiers is featured on CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.
June 2007 
AT&T joins Cell Phones For Soldiers to help troops call home by collecting used cell phones in all of its retail stores.
July 2007 
Cell Phones For Soldiers’ co-founders appear on The View.
November 2007 
Cell Phones For Soldiers’ co-founders share their mission with CNN’s Glenn Beck.
July 2008 
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, hosted by former First Lady Laura Bush, recognizes Brittany Bergquist as one of America’s top-10 youth volunteers.
May 2009 
Cell Phones For Soldiers calling card program, Minutes That Matter, celebrates its 100 millionth calling card donated to servicemen and women.
May 2010 
General Motors partners with Cell Phones For Soldiers to help provide precious connections for military members.
May 2010 
Friendship Home, a Massachusetts support facility that serves individuals with developmental disabilities, joins Cell Phones For Soldiers by becoming the organization’s calling card fulfillment center.
January 2011 
Robbie and Brittany Bergquist receive the Jefferson Award for “Greatest Public Service by an Individual 35 Years or Under” in honor of their efforts to support men and women in uniform.
June 2011 
Cell Phones For Soldiers joins partner Santa Rita Wine to distribute thousands of calling cards to American troops during a military appreciation event at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany.
February 2012 
CPFS launches its veterans program, Helping Heroes Home, to assist returning veterans with emergency funds, communication challenges and physical, emotional and assimilation hardships.
July 2012
Cell Phones For Soldiers reaches 11 million cell phones recycled.
July 2013 
CPFS, along with Capital One, donates 40,000 free international calling cards or 6 million minutes of talk time to five United States Army bases–Fort Belvoir, Fort Bliss, Fort Drum, Fort Lee and Fort Polk.
October 2013 
Cell Phones For Soldiers celebrates its 200 millionth minute donated to U.S. active-duty troops and veterans.
November 2013 
Cell Phones For Soldiers celebrates 10 years of providing precious connections for servicemen and women.
April 2014 
The New England Patriots recognizes Robbie Bergquist with the Myra Kraft MVP Award for his outstanding and exceptional service to the Armed Forces of the United States.
June 2014 
The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network recognizes Robbie Bergquist with its Young Nonprofit Professional: Forging the Future award, for his work supporting military members for more than 11 years.
June 2015 
Robbie and Brittany are awarded the Heroes Among Us award by the Boston Celtics, recognizing outstanding individuals who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to their communities.
November 2015 
Robbie and Brittany are selected as 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneurs at the age of 24 and 26 for their continued support of military members home and abroad.
January 2017 
Cell Phones For Soldiers celebrates 15 years of supporting military members home and abroad, recycling its 20 millionth device.
April 2019 
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