Recycled cell phone program continues to benefit soldiers

NEWS RELEASE
Issued - December 7, 2009

ARDMORE, Okla. — Robert Wells is on a mission to keep soldiers connected with family and friends.

Wells, a livestock consultant with the Noble Foundation, facilitated The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation's effort to become an official drop-off point for Cell Phones for Soldiers, which recycles donated cell phones and uses the proceeds to purchase calling cards for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each cell phone is worth one hour of international talk time for soldiers serving overseas.

In the 18 months since the Noble Foundation became one of the organization's 3,000 collection sites, more than 500 phones have been donated by the south-central Oklahoma community. However, Wells sees an increased need with the arrival of the holiday season.

"We have had a tremendous outpouring from the local community, and I'm thankful for each donation," said Wells, Ph.D. "As the holidays approach, phone conversations between soldiers and loved ones becomes even more crucial. These calling cards can literally mean the difference between a soldier having an opportunity to speak to their family on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and being completely disconnected. They really are a lifeline."

Communication between soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families is often difficult. While some soldiers attempt to call home using cell phones (resulting in astronomical phone bills) and others try to use the sporadic Internet service, the best way for troops to contact home is through international calling cards. Some soldiers do not have the opportunity to call home because international calling cards cost up to $2 per minute, causing soldiers to go months or even a year without communication.

Wells knows firsthand the difficulties and costs associated with communicating with a family member overseas. His wife, Danielle, served in Iraq for almost a year with the 1120th Ordinance Company out of Ada, an attachment of the 45th Infantry Combat Division.

Quick phone calls, like an 11-minute conversation last summer, cost the couple almost $75. "It was worth every penny to hear her voice," he said. "But transcontinental communication comes at a high price."

Cell Phones for Soldiers provided more than 12 million minutes of prepaid calling cards in 2008. The organization hopes to raise more than $9 million in the next five years to fund new programs, such as providing video phones and prepaid service to allow soldiers abroad to see their families on a regular basis.

"Americans will replace an estimated 130 million cell phones this year with the majority of replaced phones either discarded or stuffed in a drawer," says Mike Newman, vice president of ReCellular, the company that provides the cell phone recycling. "Most people don't realize that the small sacrifice of donating their unwanted phones can have a tremendous benefit."

For individuals who want to donate a used cell phone, the Noble Foundation drop box is located in the Agricultural Division's lobby. Cell phones may be donated with or without their batteries. The charger may be donated as well.

For more information, e-mail Robert Wells at rswells@noble.org or visit the Cell Phones for Soldiers Web site at www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com.

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For media inquiries concerning the Noble Foundation, please contact:

J. Adam Calaway

jacalaway@noble.org

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. (www.noble.org), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs; and providing grants to nonprofit charitable, educational and health organizations.