HARRISBURG, PA — In an effort to help connect loved ones with soldiers who are currently serving overseas, Dauphin County Commissioners Jeff Haste, Mike Pries and George P. Hartwick, III, the Northern Dauphin Human Services Center (NDHSC) and Veterans Affairs office collected a total of 246 used cell phones to be donated to the nonprofit Cell Phones for Soldiers Inc. Donations were collected last fall at different locations and at the annual Northern Dauphin Family Fun Fall Festival in October.
“The men and women serving our country overseas oftentimes don’t have an affordable way to call loved ones back home,” said Hartwick, who oversees the NDHSC. “All the cell phones collected will be recycled and the proceeds used to purchase international calling cards for active-duty military who are deployed overseas.”
The donated cell phones will be sent to Cell Phones for Soldiers, which processes the phones and sends calling cards to soldiers
“We all have a duty to help the men and women who fight hard for our freedom,” said Pries, who has oversight of the county’s Veterans Affairs office. “Although donating a cell phone may seem like a small gesture, it makes a big difference.”
Several community organizations also served as cell phone drop-off locations: Magnolia Realty Services, Northern Dauphin County YMCA, Just Right Fitness, Millersburg Pharmacy, State Senator Rob Teplitz’s Halifax Office and the Porter Tower Lion’s Club.
“We’re extremely grateful for the generous support from our community partners and citizens who donated to this worthy cause,” said Haste. “Every donated device valued at $5 provides troops with 2.5 hours of free talk time.”
For more information about Cell Phones for Soldiers, visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com. To contact Dauphin County Veterans Affairs, please call 717-780-6356.