Alaska State Cell Phones Headed to Soldiers

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is encouraging state employees to donate used cell phones to the Cell Phones for Soldiers project. In addition, Department of Administration Commissioner Annette Kreitzer will ensure that state cell phones that are no longer serviceable or in surplus will be donated to the project.

Cell Phones for Soldiers is a nonprofit organization dedicated to recycling used cell phones in exchange for phone cards for our soldiers overseas. Each phone donated to Cell Phones for Soldiers is exchanged for a calling card, good for one hour of talk time.

"What a great and easy way to honor our men and women in uniform who are serving overseas," Governor Palin said. "I encourage all Alaskans to support this worthy cause."

Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell, Mass., with $21 of their own money. Since then, the nonprofit organization has raised almost $1 million in donations and distributed more than 400,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas.

For more information about the Cell Phones for Soldiers program, visit their Web site.