Gordon Announces Cell Phone Drive to Benefit Soldiers Overseas
Posted by Debbie Adlof on October 10th, 2008
Candidate for State Representative Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) this week announced a drive to collect used cell phones to benefit soldiers that are stationed overseas. Partnering with Cell phones for Soldiers, Gordon will collect cell phones at area locations during the month of October.“I believe we should take every opportunity to give back to the brave men and women that are serving our nation overseas,” Gordon said “This is a simple way to show our appreciation for their sacrifices. Everyone has an old cell phone sitting in a drawer that they can donate to provide a few minutes of call time for our soldiers, making it possible for them to talk with their families.”
Donations can be made at the following locations:
-Jehan Gordon’s Campaign Office, 1200 W. Main St, Suite 9, Peoria
-Java Jolt, 230 SW Adams St., Peoria
-BP Gas Station, 4430 N Prospect Rd., PeoriaHeights-
Reid’s Service Center, 7123 North Kickapoo Edwards Rd.,
Edwards-Casey’s, 6124 W Plank Rd.
PeoriaCell Phones for Soldiers was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from
Norwell, Mass., with $21 of their own money. Since then, the registered 501c3 non-profit organization has raised millions of dollars in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas. The cell phones are recycled for cash and the proceeds are used to buy prepaid calling cards for our soldiers serving in the Middle East. Cell Phones for Soldiers hopes to turn old cell phones into more than 12 million minutes of prepaid calling cards for U.S. troops stationed overseas in 2008. To do so, Cell Phones for Soldiers expects to collect 50,000 cell phones each month through a network of more than 5,000 collection sites across the country.
All wireless phones are accepted. All makes, models, and ages are welcome, as are wireless phone batteries and chargers. Individuals who donate their wireless phones have the privilege and responsibility of giving a good-faith estimate of the value of their gift for tax purposes.
“The cell phones that are donated will provide a way for our military personal to talk with their loved ones back home,” Gordon said. “By donating our used cell phones, we can make a big difference in the lives of the men and women overseas that have sacrificed so much for our country.” Gordon will be collecting used cell phones throughout the month of October. Gordon is the democratic nominee for State Representative in the 92nd. For more information, please contact Gordon at (309)673-9292 or at info@jehangordon.com.