Keeping military members and families connected

The upcoming holidays are an especially hard time for our soldiers to be so far away from their families. The simple sound of a loved one’s voice can go a long way to lift their spirits.  To help connect these troops to their families back home and in honor of Military Family Appreciation Month and Veterans Day, I am once again holding a Cell Phones For Soldiers collection drive.

This year’s drive runs through Wednesday, Dec. 10. The public is welcome to drop off gently used and unwanted cell phones and/or tablets at several public locations throughout my district. Drop-off locations include:

All proceeds from the recycled devices will be used to buy long-distance calling cards and other communication services for troops at home and abroad. For every donated phone, mobile device or tablet valued at $5, Cell Phones For Soldiers is able to provide 2.5 hours of free talk time to deployed troops via calling cards.

Some of the phones collected also will go directly into the hands of veterans in need as a part of a new initiative started by the nonprofit organization. The phones will come with unlimited talk and text.

This is the 10th year that the drive has taken place. Residents throughout my district have donated approximately 7,400 devices and provided troops with approximately 740,000 minutes of free calls.

The brave men and women in our military have stepped up to serve our nation. I am proud to once again team up with the Central New York Veterans Outreach Center, Cell Phones for Soldiers and local libraries, businesses and organizations to help them connect with their families back home.