SIFE Joins Cell Phones for Soldiers

Ohio Northern University’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and Cell Phones for Soldiers are collecting old and unused cell phones for American soldiers. The drive, which begins Jan. 4, is expected to bring in more than 50,000 phones, which will finance the purchase of pre-paid calling cards for soldiers stationed overseas.

Local residents and Ohio Northern students can drop off phones at the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library through Feb. 28, 2010, or at the Hardin County and Ada Public libraries through April 30, 2010.

“We’re proud to show our support for U.S. soldiers and to contribute to a worthy cause like Cell Phones for Soldiers,” said Lauren SeGall, a senior marketing major from Greenville, Pa., and spokesperson for SIFE.

Cell Phones for Soldiers operates by sending old phones to a recycling company, ReCellular, which then pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each donated phone. The money received for each phone is used to purchase a calling card that provides about an hour of talk time for soldiers abroad.

“Over the past few years, we have been amazed by the generosity of others. But we have also seen the need to support our troops continue,” said Brittany Bergquist, co-founder of Cell Phones for Soldiers.

Founded in 2004, Cell Phones for Soldiers has raised nearly $2 million in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas.

Published: Wed, 12/16/2009 - 1:13pm