I never imagined that one of my sons would one day become a soldier.
As a mother, we always want the best for our children and worry about them from the day they are born. We want them to do well in school, to make friends, and to succeed in life. I should have known Jordan would one day enlist; his compassion, kindness and respect for others, is something that started in Kindergarten.
When Jordan enlisted with the National Guard, and graduated this summer from Army Basic training, I had mixed emotions, both immense pride, and also fear.
Now it’s my turn to do something for our soldiers. I admit, my feelings have changed. These young men and women give me hope that society has not lost the core values that we don’t always experience in civilian life.
You may recall I contributed some tips for kids moving to college on General Motors The Future is Electric blog. Since GM is involved with the Cell Phones for Soldiers program, I would like to help with this project by asking you to send me your used cell phones, rather than tossing them. Why? To help with the cause. Chevy wants to provide 750,000 free communication tools in 2011.
Here’s my used phone which I’m donating to “Cell Phones for Soldiers.”
“We feel ‘Cell Phones for Soldiers’ is a worthy cause that fits well with GM’s long-standing commitment to support the men and women serving our country,” said Mark Degnan, GM director of local advertising, marketing and training. “Personally, with a brother and a nephew in active duty in Iraq, I know how important every call home can be for soldiers overseas, and their families at home.”
Thanks to Brittany and Robbie Bergquist of Norwell, Massachusetts, who started the Cell Phones for Soldiers program when they heard of a soldier having to pay almost $8,000 for a phone bill to call his family from Iraq. They decided to help and raised $21. At the time they were only 12 and 13. Now their organization turns old cell phones into minutes of prepaid calling cards for U.S. troops stationed overseas. Here’s a link to a video on Cell Phone for Soldiers with Robbie and Britanny Bergquist.
Reasons why you should consider donating your used cell phone to our soldiers:
- More than 130 million phones are retired every year in the United States.
- If just 2% of Americans were to donate their unwanted phones, every soldier could get a free call home.
- So far $1 million in donations has given 400,000 minutes to troops.
Thanks to Chevy, who provided me with 8 free tickets to attend the 14th Annual Coronado Speed Festival, September 25-26, 2011. This is a vintage race with cars dating from 1952-1972.
“Join thousands of race enthusiasts and fans in this premier motorsports event saluting our nation’s military.”
Chevy will be celebrating its centennial birthday at the Festival and will be offering test drives in new Chevy vehicles. You’re invited to visit their booth.
I’m donating 6 free tickets to the first 3 people (who e-mail me at sonia@soniamarsh.com, and send me their used cell phones.) Two tickets per cell phone, so you can take someone with you. If you can send me two or more used phones, that’s even better. I shall send you the address to mail it to when you contact me. If you’re attending the SCWA meeting on Saturday, September 17th in Fountain Valley, California, I shall give you the ticket then if you’re one of the first 3 to contact me.
If you wish to participate on your own, here is a list of cell phone drop off locations by zip code.
Hope to see you at the 14th Annual Coronado Speed Festival, September 24-25.
What a worthwhiile venture. Can I send you mine?
On the subject of wonderful sons, delivered mine to University today. Very sad, but very happy for Benjamin and the fantastic opportunities waiting for him.
Stephanie recently posted..Pasta as Currency – Meet the Kipastalo
Stephanie,
First of all how do you feel about your son going to University. I know it’s difficult to adjust and I felt lost at first. As far as sending me your cell phone, I’d love that. I need to find out more about the European cell phones and the US ones first. I shall let you know after I ask Gail Bergquist below about compatibility.
Stephanie,
I checked the http://cellphonesforsoldiers.com website and they accept phones from all over the world as they sell them to a company that recycles them and use the money for calling cards for the soldiers serving.
Thank you so very much for highlighting my daughter Brittany and son Robbie and their program, Cell Phones for Soldiers on your site!
I absolutely love your passion and wish you and Jordan all the best!
Please let your visitors know that we are honored to assist any military member and veteran with their communication needs.
Warm regards,
Gail Bergquist
Proud Mom of Courtney, Brittany, and Robbie
Hi Gail,
I never expected to hear back from Brittany and Robbie’s mom directly. Thanks for what your family does and if you have any tips or more advice on what we need to do to help, please let me know.
Well done for supporting this and the great achievement with your son. I can see why is career choice would scare you. It scares me and he’s not even my son! You’re a Gutsy family;)
Annabel Candy, Get In the Hot Spot recently posted..What Makes a Hotel Hot? Or Not?
Annabel,
You lived in the UK, like me and know what many think overseas. Believe me it was a shock to have a son who wanted to enter the military, and I do admit, I’ve changed. When it happens to you as a mother, everything changes.
What an interesting program — getting cell phones for military people so they can call home (like ET). Glad that you’re supporting it. (I would too, but I don’t have any used cell phones).
Good luck to Jordan in his military career.
Rob-bear recently posted..TOWARD LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
Rob-bear
I envy you in a way not getting so involved in technology. Now I cannot live without a GPS when I drive somewhere unfamiliar.
Thanks for stopping by. What do you do if you break down on the road, or get stuck in the snow?
Bonjour Sonia! Thanks for your comment on my blog. I love Croissy -sur-Seine, especially the pizzeria. Congratulations for having well-adjusted sons and for what you are doing for soldiers…the design of your blog is awesome!
Bonjour,
I know the pizzeria you’re talking about. There was a “sister” one in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. I think it’s still there. Do you enjoy living in the UK?
I absolutely love this idea, Sonia! Kudos to promoting this cause! I personally know how daunting it can be to be away from home and that just one phone call can make all the difference! In fact, those moments away from home were often the most challenging and brought me closer to my family despite the physical distance! I can only imagine how much more a soldier would benefit from being able to keep in contact.
Oh! And just wanted to let you know that I sent you the Versatile Blogger Award! =) You are a true inspiration, Sonia! =)
Samantha Bangayan recently posted..A Versatile Blogger in Peru
Samantha,
I am very grateful that you called me an “inspiration and an expert on blogging for authors.” WOW! I call you the queen of networking as you seem to be all over the Internet. Thanks so much for the award.
May you and your son always be well, happy, and safe!
Sandra / Always Well Within recently posted..Vulnerability and Self-Protection
Thanks Sandra. I hope so for the future of all the young men and women who have enlisted.
Beautiful walk-through of the process.
I’d donate my cell phone if I had one.
Thanks for stopping by. I commented on Sandra’s blog about an interview I’m doing here on Thursday September 22nd, with Jack Canfield’s, master trainer, Robert MacPhee. Hope you call in at 4pm PST. More information tomorrow on my blog.