HARRISBURG, Pa. — AAA Central Penn announced that its AAA Cares community volunteer program is teaming up with Cell Phones for Soldiers to collect donated cell phones, iPads, tablets, mp3 players, and device chargers and accessories to help service members and veterans.
AAA Central Penn branches throughout the organization’s nine-county region will serve as drop-off locations for a collection drive for Cell Phones for Soldiers, a non-profit organization that provides cost-free communication services and emergency funding to service members and veterans.
AAA Central Penn branches are accepting donated devices in any condition including cell phones, tablets, iPads and mp3 players, as well as device chargers and device accessories in their original packaging, which will be shipped to Cell Phones for Soldiers for refurbishment or recycling.
AAA Central Penn is covering shipping costs for the donated devices. Cell Phones for Soldiers uses proceeds from the process to purchase prepaid international calling cards for service members and to provide emergency funding to veterans.
“By donating your discarded devices at one of our AAA Central Penn locations, you're not just recycling a device, you're helping our service members stay connected to their loved ones and providing assistance to low-income or at-risk veterans,” said AAA Central Penn President and CEO Jodie Daubert. “Since its inception, Cell Phones for Soldiers has provided more than 400 million minutes of free talk time, recycled over 25 million cell phones and mailed approximately 2.5 million calling cards to troops.”
Col. Donald R. O’Shell, director of staff of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard adds, “Cell Phones for Soldiers is a very important program because it affords all service members the ability to remain connected to home and connected to their base of support. This is critical to their ability to serve the country.”
Keith Graham, executive director of veterans programs for the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, added, “Cell Phones for Soldiers is important to the veteran community because it provides support for veterans who may be struggling due to various circumstances like a needed car repair or storm damage issue. The program helps fill the gap and provides immediate relief to veterans who need assistance in times of need.”
AAA Central Penn is accepting donation drop-offs during operating hours at all ten of its branch locations. An updated list of what items are accepted for donation and how to prepare your device can be found on AAA Central Penn’s website.
