LANSING – State Representatives Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga), Joan Bauer (D-Lansing) and Mark Meadows (D-East Lansing) are joining the effort to help U.S. troops abroad make contact with their families back home, urging citizens to donate their used cell phones at area locations.
"This program aims to bridge the gap between our soldiers and their loved ones," Byrum said. "A phone call home can do so much for our soldiers stationed overseas, and I'm proud to join this effort and connect our troops with their families."
"We owe a debt of gratitude to our soldiers that can never be paid," Meadows said. "This program is just one way to thank our soldiers for their sacrifices and allow them to speak to their loved ones while serving our country."
As part of a joint project between AT&T and the nonprofit Cell Phones for Soldiers, donated phones will be sold to Dexter-based ReCellular, with proceeds used to buy prepaid phone cards. The cards are then shipped to U.S. troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other nations. On average, each donated cell phone buys an hour of talk time for soldiers, according to Cell Phones for Soldiers. Each phone card provides 20 free minutes of talk time between Iraq and the United States. Citizens can drop their used cell phones at the Family Christian Store, located at 5132 S. Cedar St. in Lansing; the Gift & Bible Center, Inc., located at 5819 W. Saginaw St. in Lansing; and the Pak Mail of East Lansing LLC, located at 4150 Hunsaker Rd., Suite D in East Lansing.
"The amount of time our soldiers spend away from their loved ones is long and hard," Bauer said. "Donating cell phones to connect our men and women in uniform with their families can make that time apart just a little easier."
For more information, visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com or call (800) 426-1031.