PORT BYRON, Ill. - State Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is asking residents to donate used cellular phones at his district office in Port Byron, located at 201 N. Main St., Unit 2 in Port Byron, to help military members serving abroad call home this holiday season through his partnership with Cell Phones for Soldiers.
"The sacrifices our military families make often includes being separated during this holiday season, and too often it's difficult and expensive to even spend a few minutes on the phone," Smiddy said. "Your donation will connect the families separated by their service to our country."
Cell Phones for Soldiers accepts used cell phones and tablets and donates them to Mindful eCycling for recycling. The proceeds are used to purchase international calling cards given to military members serving abroad. The organization was founded in 2004 by teenagers Robbie, 12, and Brittany, 13, Bergquist and has since donated more than 210 million minutes of free talk time to servicemen and women stationed around the world.
Smiddy has offered his district office as a drop off location for cell phones and tablets and urges residents to drop off their old phones this holiday season.
"I'm honored to partner with Cell Phones for Soldiers and help the people in our community take part in their effort to connect service families around the world," Smiddy said. "That old cell phone you have stuffed in a drawer can still help bring people together, and I hope you'll bring it by the office or one of our area partners to help military members connect with their families this holiday season."
For more information, please contact Smiddy's constituent service office at (309)-848-9098.
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