Scherer Announces Used Cell Phone Drive to Benefit Active Military Members

DECATUR, Ill. –State Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, is partnering with the nonprofit Cell Phones for Soldiers, Inc. to create a permanent drop-off location for old and used cell phones to help military members serving overseas keep in touch with their loved ones at her district office located at 1301 E. Mound Rd. in Decatur.

Cell Phones for Soldiers accepts gently used cell phones and donates them to Mindful eCycling for recycling. For every donated phone valued at $5, Cell Phones for Soldiers is able to provide two and a half hours of free talk time to deployed troops.

“One of the many sacrifices made by service men and women is that they may face difficulties staying in touch with friends and family members while they are thousands of miles away from home,” said Scherer. “Donating your used cell phones is an easy way to help connect members of the military with their loved ones.”

Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded in 2004 by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist at the ages of 12 and 13. The charity has since provided more than 210 million minutes of free talk time to servicemen and women stationed around the world through its calling card program, Minutes That Matter. Funds raised from the recycling of cellular phones are used to purchase prepaid international calling cards. On average, Cell Phones for Soldiers distributes 3,200 calling cards each week to bases around the world, care package programs, deployment ceremonies and VA hospitals.

“It’s important to me to support those who make a commitment to defend our country,” said Scherer. “We can never fully thank the members of our armed forces for all that they do, but supporting this cell phone drive is a small step in making them feel closer to home.”

For more information, please contact Scherer’s constituent service office at 217-877-9636 or by email at StateRepSue@gmail.com. Scherer represents the 96th District, which includes portions of Christian, Macon and Sangamon counties.