By Leah Ouellet
Review Staff Intern
Most folks think about grilling, swimming and vacations when summertime rolls around.
However, for those with loved ones fighting overseas, their minds are elsewhere.
To help ease the separation between families, Pak Mail and other companies are collecting old cell phones, as part of the Cell Phones for Soldiers Program.
‘We’re asking Americans to make a small contribution of support by donating their unused cell phones, providing families with the much needed connection to their loved ones overseas,? said program co-founder Brittany Bergquist.
The Pak Mail Center, 3759 S. Baldwin Rd is one local site where phones may be donated. The store is open between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday.
The phones do not need to be completely intact. The request calls for batteries, cell phone screens, phones that are torn apart; anything that is no longer used. These parts are then sent to a cell phone recycling center where they are exchanged for money, used to pay for calling cards that soldiers can use.
Cell Phones for Soldiers and Pak Mail kick-off cell phone collection aims to collect over 50,000 cell phones. Since the start of the program, over 500,000 prepaid calling cards have been distributed overseas.
Now, local residents have the opportunity to help soldiers feel a little closer to home.
‘We’re proud to show our support for U.S. soldiers, and participate in a worthy program like Cell Phones for Soldiers,? said Orion Pak Mail owners Jim and Sheryl Cross.
So far, Pak Mail has collected over 200 phones and parts, and will be collecting cell phone parts throughout the year.