August 3, 2004
Recycling cell phones for a great cause
A wonderful grassroots project initiated by two kids, raises funds for GIs to call home, reports MSNBC.
"They don't own a cell phone, but this summer, that's all this brother and sister are asking for — and thousands are coming in. The phones are not for themselves, but for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Four months ago, 13-year-old Brittany and her brother, Robbie, 12 saw on TV a soldier's $7,624.00 cell phone bill to call home (he forgot about exorbitant “roaming charges”), the kids decided that wasn't right. So they marched to their piggy banks and started a remarkable project.
“From our piggy banks we probably had about $14,” remembers Brittany.
Since then, they've collected a bit more. How much?
“Over $140,000," says Robbie.
The wireless industry estimates 107 million new cell phones will be sold this year. That means a lot of old phones that Robbie and Brittany want for recycling. Depending on the model, recyclers will pay the kids between $5 and $100 per phone. The kids use the money to buy calling cards.
They have a new goal now, to buy 8,000 satellite phones — about one for every 20 military members currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. For that, they'll need $9 million. But with a never-give-up attitude, don't be surprised when they succeed."
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