Cell Phones for Soldiers

Although the primary purpose of this charity is to raise funds, these funds are meant to facilitate connection and communication with those involved in conflict situations, far from their loved ones. The core idea underlying this effort is that information and communication technology (ICT) - specifically, the mobile phone - can be a powerful way to link people, supporting not only the exchange of information, but the sustainability of relationships (for better psychological health). In addition, mobile phones are themselves being used here to raise the money to support this communication, as well as to foster environmentally responsible behaviour: recycling old phones rather than throwing them away.

Specifically, inspired by a news story on television about a Massachusetts soldier struggling to pay off more than US$7,000 in charges for cellphone calls home from the Persian Gulf, the brother and sister team (whose cousin had recently been deployed to Baghdad) collected money from classmates and other local sources to help pay that soldier's phone bill. Their plan broadened when the pair heard that recyclers paid for used cell phones. Working with their parents, the siblings persuaded local shops, police stations, and government offices to set out cell phone recycling bins. With the recycling proceeds and some cash donations, the siblings buy phone cards worth up to 60 minutes each in international calls. They send the cards to service members and their families or military units that place requests through the charity's website. (This website also includes details about how/where to donate - and tools for erasing data from one's cell phone prior to doing so - as well as "soldiers' stories" and a list of various local events related to the project).

Environment.

As of this writing, the recycling network spans more than 4,000 drop-off sites located in every state in the United States, as well as some places in England, Canada, and Japan, and yields some 20,000 cell phones a month, which fetch an average of US$5 each from a recycling company (ReCellular Inc.) that refurbishes them for resale. To date, nearly 400,000 cards have been shipped to soldiers overseas.