What is Cell Phones For Soldiers?
Cell Phones For Soldiers is a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing cost-free communication services and emergency funding to active-duty military members and veterans. Since 2004, the charity has provided more than 400 million minutes of air time to servicemen and women deployed around the world, by recycling more than 25 million cell phones reducing the impact on landfills.
Cell Phones For Soldiers uses proceeds from donated cell phones to purchase international calling cards for troops to call home and to provide emergency funding to veterans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to some of our more frequently asked questions by clicking on the options below. Still Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us here, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Cell phones and all other devices can be sent to the address listed below or can be dropped off at any of the thousands of Cell Phones for Soldiers’ official drop-off locations throughout the United States.
Cell Phones For Soldiers
5705 Commerce Blvd.
Suite 100
Alpharetta, GA 30004
Please contact Cell Phones For Soldiers directly.
info@cellphonesforsoldiers.com
(678) 580-1976
Allow us to thank you in advance! Please complete the information requested here. You will receive an electronic welcome kit via email once you’re registered.
Online monetary donations can be made via PayPal here. You may also send a check or money order to:
South Shore Savings Bank
c/o Cell Phones For Soldiers
400 Washington St
Norwell, Ma 02061
Yes, by providing a valid APO/FPO address or email address, Cell Phones for Soldiers can directly mail or email cards to troops. Calling cards can be requested here.
To request assistance from Helping Heroes Home, please speak to your Veterans Service Officer and have them contact Cell Phones For Soldiers for more information. info@cellphonesforsoldiers.com
No. It is a common misunderstanding that Cell Phones For Soldiers sends donated mobile devices directly to deployed troops. Doing so is not a viable option because, first and foremost, cell phones can be security hazards for military members in combat zones. Secondly, the cost of international phone calls using a cell phone is very high, making this option extremely cost prohibitive. Instead, we use the proceeds from the donated phones to send prepaid international calling cards to our troops to use via their approved phones.
Yes. If your cell phone has a SIM card, please remove it prior to donating. You also can search the internet for “factory reset” for the specific make and model of your phone to receive instructions on wiping away all personal information.
If you cannot factory reset your device do not worry. Our recycling partner is R2:2013 (Responsible Recycling) and NAID AAA certified (National Association for Information Destruction) and follows the Department of Defense standards for wiping hard drives and devices.
Mobile devices and tablets donated to Cell Phones For Soldiers are sold either to an electronic refurbisher or a recycler. Once we receive a donated device, it is quickly wiped of all personal information and checked to see if it is repairable. A cell phone that is repairable is sold to an electronics refurbisher who will repair the device and resell it in the aftermarket. However, devices that are either too old or completely broken are sold to recyclers who strip the devices of any salvageable components and/or rare metals and then responsibly recycle the remaining parts. The proceeds from this process are used to purchase prepaid international calling cards for troops and to provide emergency funding to veterans.
Yes, we also recycle and reuse tablets and MP3 players. Please pay special attention to wrapping tablets to ensure their safety during shipping. If you have any questions concerning donations of other electronic items please contact Cell Phones for Soldiers directly.
(678) 580-1976
info@cellphonesforsoldiers.com
We accept donations of any and all types of cell phones, smartphones and tablets from any carrier. Newer, gently-used mobile devices, including smartphones, are preferred; however, proceeds are generated from the recycling of broken and outdated mobile phones. Chargers and accessories are welcome but are not necessary to donate. If you have a charger you would like to donate, please keep the original phone and charger together. Please do not send instruction manuals.
When donating an iPhone 4 or newer model remember to turn off the Find My iPhone feature. Here are simple tips to help: https://support.apple.com/kb/PH2702?locale=en_US
Yes. Please view our 501(c)(3) tax exemption letter here.
