Your old cell phone can make a difference in the life of an American soldier.
Starting Monday, Cell Phones for Soldiers and the Mississippi State Guard will begin collecting the devices at sites throughout Greenwood. Cell Phones for Soldiers, a non-profit organization, uses the proceeds to buy prepaid calling cards for overseas troops.
“This will alleviate any anxiety these guys may have about money problems back home while they’re gone,” said Staff Sgt. Stephen Skelton of the 2nd Brigade of the Mississippi State Guard.
In April, more than two-thirds of the Mississippi National Guard will be deployed to Afghanistan, including the Oxford-based 155th Armor Unit that many local soldiers are in.
“Anyone who feels like they’re not contributing and can’t help out, this is something that will make a difference, especially for the morale of these guys,” Skelton said. “They are making the ultimate sacrifice for us.”
Phones can be dropped off at Trustmark Bank, Buddy Jones Ford, the Greenwood Leflore County Chamber of Commerce and Regions Bank. Monetary contributions will also be accepted.
The collections will continue through mid-December.
“We’re hoping to make this a Christmas gift for these guys,” Skelton said.
Two teenagers in Norwell, Mass., began Cell Phones for Soldiers in 2004, with $21 of their own money. They’ve since raised more than $1 million and distributed more than 500,000 calling cards.
