Cell Phones for Soldiers is an excellent organization (a family, really) that recycles old cell phones and uses the money to buy and send phone cards to deployed troops. You can donate an old phone, set up a drop off point for others to donate phones, or request a pre-paid phone card for your soldier.

Really outstanding organization. I hope some of you will consider setting up a dropoff location for them. They do a lot to support our troops and other organizations.

Your community may already have a drop off as many Ladies Auxilliary of VFW (Jr. Girls Division) collect cell phones for this reason. I know the ones in Kansas do.

I've donated several of my old cell phones to them. It's a very worthy cause.

Thanks for posting this

 Meili

CptDan'sMom:

Your community may already have a drop off as many Ladies Auxilliary of VFW (Jr. Girls Division) collect cell phones for this reason. I know the ones in Kansas do.

Yes, they do have a good list of all dropoff points on their site so check there first. Thanks for the reminder.

People don't like to drive much these days, though, and more drop off points are always a good thing IMO. Plus, some businesses or organizations like opportunities to support good causes - especially if they bring in a bit of extra traffic. CFPS (cell phones for soldiers) makes it really easy with the nice kit. Companies, churches, or community events can have a donations box and promote it so people drop off phones either for a single time period or on an ongoing basis.

 

Whenever I order from Cabela's, they always include a postage paid pouch addressed to Cell Phones for Soldiers. I pop the cell phone in there and mail it off.

Thanks Widget for that website for erasing personal info.

Meili  

My company is now collecting these.  I've put a cute little "military looking" box in our pay center with a sign for customers to drop off the cells and my company has done a press release to the local paper to try to encourage people to bring them in.  Hope we get a good response.

Debbie

Amazon.com included a bag in my last order. I had a cell phone sitting here in a baggy waiting to find some place to take it. So I mailed it off in that bag a couple of days ago. If I take a look around, there are probably other old phones lying around in drawers and closets.

You're quite welcome, Meili!

Wow - thats great about Cabellas and Amazon.

Be aware there are many organizations collecting cell phones, but not all are equally responsible and ethical in how they handle funds from the recycling. So be sure it says "CellPhonesForSoldiers.com" or it may be another organization that pockets a high percentage of funds received.  

Debbie - that's fantastic! I'd love to see a photo of your collection box. Hope you get great results.  

Widget,

It is just a gift box painted to look like an Army trunk (olive green, gold, and white "stenciled" lettering).  Really cute.  I got at--where else?--Dollar Tree.  It has stuff like U.S.G.I., Captain Hotshot, Disaster 1st Class, Commander Guy printed on it.  Measures about 10x15x8 I'm guessing.  Comes with a lid (although I got the last one and the lid was missing, it still works for the phones).  Wish I'd had more money when I first saw them and I would have bought them all.  Oh well.

Deb

Hadn't read this tread til now, what an outstanding program.  Thanks for sharing I've requested some cards for our guys at KOP     and will be asking for used cell phones from everyone I know!      Anita

Widget---RE the post below:

I would love to do that! I just washed my new one on accident so that could work. Who would have know washing my phone would have a good ending? Thanks for letting me know!

empressfrancis:

Widget---RE the post below:

 

It is just a gift box painted to look like an Army trunk (olive green, gold, and white "stenciled" lettering).  Really cute.  I got at--where else?--Dollar Tree.  It has stuff like U.S.G.I., Captain Hotshot, Disaster 1st Class, Commander Guy printed on it.  Measures about 10x15x8 I'm guessing.  Comes with a lid (although I got the last one and the lid was missing, it still works for the phones).  Wish I'd had more money when I first saw them and I would have bought them all.  Oh well

 

Just to let you know Widget, I found them again at Dollar Tree so they must have gotten a new shipment.  Look for them near the party supplies.

Thanks, Debbie! Will check there tomorrow...

My Rotary Club supports this organization - we have sent them over 30 phones over the past few months.  It's a great way to help out, and what do you do with the old phones anyway??