Gainesville FL
Carrsmith Auto Repair
Cell Phones for Soliders
Carrsmith Auto Repair is proud to be doing our part in helping the greater Gainesville area support our troops. As an official Cell Phones For Soldiers' Drop-Off location, customers of Carrsmith Auto Repair and residents of the greater Gainesville area can drop off their slightly used or newer cell phones at our shop (during normal business hours) for the benefit of our military members overseas serving our great nation. Donated phones are resold or scrapped and proceeds go to providing lifelines for America's bravest.
Cell Phones For Soldiers was founded by Robbie and Brittany Bergquist of Norwell, Mass., at the ages of 12 and 13. Since 2004, Cell Phones For Soldiers has provided free communication services to active-duty military members and veterans. The charity works with volunteers across the country to collect and recycle cell phones to benefit military members. The proceeds from recycling the phones are used to fund the charity's two programs, Minutes That Matter and Helping Heroes Home.
Minutes That Matter, the charity's long-standing program, provides free calling cards to servicemen and women. Since 2004, the charity has provided more than 210 million minutes of free talk time for troops and veterans. Calling cards can be requested from the charity's website, cellphonesforsoldiers.com.
The newest program, Helping Heroes Home, was created in July 2012 to aid veterans with emergency financial assistance. The program assists with one-time emergency needs such as providing a cell phone and service; a computer and internet; paying for rent to avoid eviction; imperative car repairs; and more. Veterans in need of assistance can apply online at cellphoensforsoldiers.com.
Used mobile phones from all service providers are accepted. Each $5 contribution, or donated device valued at $5, will provide troops and veterans with 2.5 hours of FREE talk time. The organization has prevented more than 11.3 million cell phones from ending up in landfills.