MarineDepot.com Teams with Cell Phones for Soldiers to Help Troops Stay Connected with Families

March 26, 2009 - PRLog -- More than 150,000 U.S. troops are serving overseas away from their families. Cell Phones for Soldiers and MarineDepot.com are calling on all Americans to support these brave men and women by donating your unused cell phones. Cell Phones for Soldiers hopes to collect over 50,000 cell phones this year to help keep troops connected with their families.  

“We have been amazed by the generosity of others during the past few years. But we also have seen the need to continue supporting our troops,” observed Brittany Bergquist, Cell Phones for Soldiers co-founder. “We hope Americans who have unused cell phones will make this small sacrifice of support and donate their unused phone to provide families with a much-needed connection to their loved ones overseas.”

During the month of April, MarineDepot.com will include 4,000 pre-paid Cell Phones for Soldiers envelopes inside packages shipped to customers.

“We’re proud to show our support for U.S. soldiers and contribute to a worthy cause like Cell Phones for Soldiers,” said Ben Ros, MarineDepot.com Director of Operations.

Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by Norwell, MA teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist with $21 of their own money. Since then, the registered 501c3 non-profit organization has raised almost $1 million in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas.

“We are continuously overwhelmed by the enthusiastic support of the thousands of Americans who have helped our troops speak with loved ones,” declared the teens’ father, Bob Bergquist. “However, the need for support keeps growing as more soldiers are sent to the Middle East or are asked to serve extended tours of duty.”

Through increased fundraising efforts, the Bergquist family hopes to raise more than $9 million in the next five years to fund new programs, such as providing video phones and prepaid service to allow soldiers abroad to see their families on a regular basis.

The donated phones are sent to ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each phone – enough to provide an hour of talk time to soldiers abroad.

Approximately half of the phones ReCellular processes are reconditioned and resold to wholesale companies in over 40 countries around the world. Phones and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and recycled to reclaim materials, including:

- Gold, silver and platinum from circuit boards
- Copper wiring from phone chargers
- Nickel, iron, cadmium and lead from battery packs
- Plastic from phone cases and accessories

For more information about Cell Phones for Soldiers, visit http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com

# # #

MarineDepot.com is the web’s premier marine and reef aquarium destination, with more than 140,000 registered users and earning industry-leading customer service ratings. Founded in 1997, MarineDepot.com has evolved into a one-stop shop for aquarists of all levels of experience—from the hardcore reefkeeper to the novice just entering the hobby—by creating free educational materials and stimulating a communal vibe. At its award-winning website, www.marinedepot.com, shoppers can compare a comprehensive selection of high-end aquarium products, view detailed product descriptions, pictures, how-to articles, product reviews, and interact with other members of the marine and reef aquarium community. Marine Depot is headquartered in Garden Grove, California. For more information, visit http://www.marinedepot.com