Wednesday, May 8, 2013

FAULKNER-CIOCCA CHEVROLET IN QUAKERTOWN, PA HAS PARTNERED WITH CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS AND CHEVROLET TO PROVIDE TROOPS WITH FREE CALLS HOME

Quakertown, PA 5/8/13 – Faulkner-Ciocca Chevrolet and nonprofit Cell Phones for Soldiers Inc. are asking Quakertown residents to help troops call home by donating gently-used cellular phones. Although the military landscape is ever changing, as many as 290,000 troops are serving in the U.S. military overseas around the world. By donating to Cell Phones for Soldiers, Quakertown residents can provide troops with that precious connection to loved ones back home.

Beginning today, residents can drop off their cell phone donations at Faulkner-Ciocca Chevrolet:

- 855 S. West End Blvd. (Rt309) Quakertown, PA 18951 or call Michael Myers at (215) 536-2100

“We are privileged to be able help our troops overseas connect with their families. In fact, in order to drive more donations, when you lease or purchase a new or used vehicle from us, we are including a $50 gas card for your donation at one per transaction.” – Mark Lawless, GSM

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 181 million minutes of free talk time to servicemen and women stationed around the world. Funds raised from the recycling of cellular phones are used to purchase prepaid international calling cards. On average, Cell Phones for Soldiers distribute 12,000 calling cards each week to bases around the world, care package programs, deployment ceremonies and VA hospitals.

“Each year we have been humbled by the amount of people and organizations like Faulkner-Ciocca Chevrolet that take the initiative to support our troops,” said co-founder Brittany Bergquist. “The communication gap between those serving and their families is a crucial need that Cell Phones for Soldiers is committed to addressing for years to come.”

Donated phones are sent 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.

Approximately half of the phones Mindful eCycling processes are reconditioned and reused. Phones and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and responsibly recycled to reclaim materials, including:

• Gold, silver and platinum from circuit boards
• Copper wiring from phone chargers
• Nickel, iron, cadmium and lead from battery packs
• Plastic from phone cases and accessories

For more information, please visit Faulkner Ciocca Chevrolet your Philadelphia Chevy Dealer.

About Cell Phones For Soldiers Inc.

Cell Phones for Soldiers Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing cost-free communication services to active-duty military members and veterans. Based in Norwell, Mass., Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded in 2004 by Robbie and Brittany Bergquist, then 12 and 13 years old. The organization has provided 181 million minutes of free talk time to deployed military members. Beginning in 2012, “Helping Heroes Home” will provide emergency funds for returning veterans to alleviate communication challenges as well as physical, emotional and assimilation hardships.