Fresh off their hectic weekend of serving as Ground Zero for the iPhone invasion, AT&T wireless stores are moving on to a slightly more noble endeavor: collecting cell phones for soldiers. By teaming with the existing Cell Phones for Soldiers charity, the stores will open up more than 1,800 new drop points for people to donate their old phones.
Cell Phones for Soldiers was started by a brother and sister in 2004 to help soldiers abroad stay in touch with their families. Although the organization collects cell phones for the cause, they don’t actually go into the hands of soldiers overseas. Instead, the phones are recycled, and the proceeds are used to buy prepaid phone cards for military families. To date, the organization has raised $1 million through the phones, and distributed it through 75,000 phone cards. AT&T added to the effort by donating 30,0000 cards, collectively worth $270,000, to the effort. The company has also pledged to donate 50,000 more cards throughout 2007.
“As Independence Day approaches, many military families will celebrate together — but many others will not because of a call to duty,” said Stan Sigman, president and CEO of AT&T’s wireless unit, in a statement. “The launch of our national recycling program that supports Cell Phones for Soldiers gives us the chance to demonstrate our commitment to military families all across America. AT&T is proud to do what we can to help keep military families connected.”
