THE FIRST BRASS OF SARASOTA IS PARTNERING WITH CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS TO PROVIDE TROOPS WITH FREE CALLS HOME

The First Brass and non-profit Cell Phones for Soldiers Inc. are asking Sarasota residents to help troops call home by donating gently-used cellular phones. With ongoing deployments to combat areas and elsewhere, as many as 369,000 troops are serving in the U.S. military overseas. By donating gently-used cellular phones to Cell Phones for Soldiers, Sarasota residents can provide troops with that precious connection to loved ones back home.

On July 4, 2013, residents can donate their phones to the cause at The First Brass concert at the end of Gulfstream Blvd in downtown Sarasota.  Throughout the entire year we will have collection boxes in churches, retirement centers and local businesses. A list of locations shown below or you can call 941-928-0296

As part of the Patterson Foundation’s “Legacy of Valor” program, which is a yearlong project leading up to the opening of the new “Patriot Plaza” amphitheater at the Sarasota National Cemetery, The First Brass are excited about being a part of this worthwhile organization.  The “Legacy of Valor” program is designed to honor veterans, inspire patriotism and embrace freedom.  Keeping the families of the men and women in the military in touch is a great way to honor, inspire and embrace our fellow Americans.

Siblings Robbie and Brittany Bergquist founded Cell Phones for Soldiers at the ages of 12 and 13. The charity has since provided more than 114 million minutes of free talk time to service men and women stationed around the world. Funds raised from the recycling of cellular phones are used to purchase pre-paid international calling cards. On average, Cell Phones for Soldiers distributes 12,000 calling cards each week to bases around the world, care package programs, deployment ceremonies and VA hospitals.

Donated phones are sent to Michigan-based ReCellular for recycling. For every donated phone valued at just $5, Cell Phones for Soldiers is able to provide two and a half hours of free talk time to deployed troops.

Cell Phones for Soldiers Inc. (CPFS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing deployed and returning troops cost-free methods to communicate with family while serving in the United States military. From the recycling of used mobile phones and cash donations, the organization has raised more than $7 million, collected more than 8.3 million cell phones and provided troops overseas with more than 114 million minutes of free talk time. For more information www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com.

DROP OFF LOCATIONS

American Accounting, 4509 Bee Ridge Rd, Unit C, Sarasota, FL 34232                         371-0008

Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota, FL                                                924-1323

Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 790 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL                                      488-4942

Faith Lutheran Church, 7750 Beneva Rd., Sarasota, FL                                                  924-4664

Legacy Golf Club @ Lakewood Ranch,8255 Legacy Blvd., Bradenton, FL 34202,          907-7920

Living Lord Lutheran Church, 11107 Palmbrush Trail, Bradenton, FL 34202,                          753-9365

Nance Guth, 4565 Northlake Dirve, Sarasota, FL                                                                 928-0296

Our Lady of Lourdes, 1301 Center Rd., Venice, FL                                                            497-2931

Pine Shores Presbyterian Church, 6135 Beechwood Ave., Sarasota, FL 34231,                 922-1597

Presidential Pawn, 1616 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34236                                366-1441

Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 702 Valley Forge Blvd., Sun City Center, FL 34573  (813) 634-2328

Redeemer Lutheran Church, 701 Valley Forge Blvd., Sun City Center, FL 34573          (813) 634-1292

Sarasota YMCA, 1075 S. Euclid Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237                                              955-8194

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 508 Riviera St, Venice, FL                                                  488-7714

St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, 11315 Palmbrush Trail, Bradenton, FL 34202      751-5048

St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church, 2506 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota, FL  34231               923-1691

Sun City Center United Methodist Church, 1210 W. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City Center, FL  34573   (813) 634-2539

The Observer, 1970 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236,                                                           366-3468

Venice Presbyterian Church, 826 The Riatoo, Venice, FL 35285                                     486-0402