Peter Schorsch
Deloitte is teaming up with Cell Phones for Soldiers and the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) to host Deloitte Device Day at the Florida Capitol on Thursday, March 20.
This one-day event invites Florida legislators and staff, state agency employees and community members to donate electronic devices, working or broken, to help provide free communication services to active-duty military members and veterans.
Cell Phones for Soldiers is a nonprofit organization committed to bridging the communication gap for military members and families.
What started as an idea by two young siblings — Rob and Brittany Bergquist — has transformed into a successful nonprofit that has touched the lives of millions. At just 12 and 13 years old, the Bergquists were shocked when they heard about a soldier returning home from Iraq with an $8,000 phone bill. The idea that a military member serving their country couldn’t connect with their loved ones for free seemed unimaginable. With just $21 dollars, they started Cell Phones for Soldiers.
Since then, their grassroots effort has provided more than 400 million minutes of free airtime to military members worldwide, recycled more than 25 million phones and assisted thousands of service members in need with emergency funding. From small idea to global impact, Cell Phones for Soldiers continues to bring military families closer to their loved ones, one call at a time.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Deloitte to bring this program to the state capitol,” said Rob Bergquist, founder and director of Cell Phones for Soldiers. “Through the generosity of Florida residents, we can help active-duty service members stay connected with their families and assist veterans as they transition to civilian life. It’s a small way to show our appreciation for the sacrifices they’ve made.”
Donated devices will be refurbished for sale or responsibly recycled by Cell Phones for Soldiers. The proceeds from refurbished and recycled devices will help fund the organization’s mission to deliver cost-free communication services — including a free cell phone with 12 months of talk and text service — for military members and veterans.
“This event is a great example of how the public, private and nonprofit sectors can come together to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who have given so much for our country,” said David Friedman, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP and leader of Deloitte’s work with the State of Florida. “We are honored to support this cause and help make an impact for soldiers, veterans and their families.”
The event will be held in the Plaza Level Rotunda of the Florida Capitol from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and provide a collection point for donated cell phones, tablets and accessories like chargers and headsets. Every donation supports the mission of Cell Phones for Soldiers and will help provide essential communication resources for those who have served. Cell Phones for Soldiers provides a donation receipt for tax deduction purposes. However, it is the donor’s responsibility to determine the value of each device.
“When I was a brand-new deployed Navy Corpsman, my dad was rushed to the hospital. It was only through the generosity of a Navy Chaplain giving me his own money that I was able to afford the long-distance charges to call home,” said Bob Asztalos, Deputy Executive Director of the FDVA. “The Department and I are so proud to join with Deloitte and Cell Phones for Soldiers to bring attention to this important cause and give back to those who have served.”
To learn more about how the donation process works or to find additional ways to support Cell Phones for Soldiers, visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/how-it-works.
