Chevrolet Helps Get 11,000 Hours Talk Time for Soldiers

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Nov 17, 2010, 11:56 ET

DETROIT, Nov. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Eleven thousand hours of talk time won't bring far away relatives physically closer, but it can go a long way in curing homesickness for soldiers overseas.

Chevrolet's efforts in the Cell Phones for Soldiers program so far has helped collect 20,000 cell phones, more than enough to provide 2,200 pre-paid calling cards with 300 minutes each to a group of soldiers in Afghanistan.

"These cards will provide our camp population with six months worth of calls, more than enough to call home for every holiday or family event from Thanksgiving to Mother's Day," said Col. Liana L. Bratland, Director of Human Resources/CJ1 for NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan. "That connection to home is a big morale booster for the troops and their families."

As an extension of the GM Military Discount Program, Chevrolet has been supporting Cell Phones for Soldiers since May. To date, Chevrolet has helped collect more phones for the cause at collection boxes in a variety of locations from General Motors headquarters to auto shows around the country.

In the days leading to Thanksgiving, Chevy is partnering with the Livonia Public Schools in suburban Detroit to host a contest among six schools to see which can collect the most used cell phones. Chevy is providing an additional 2, 000 prepaid calling cards and that students can send to troops serving overseas.

"Many of our own students have family members who have served overseas," said Dr. Randy Liepa, Superintendent of Livonia Public Schools. "We look forward to working with Cell Phones for Soldiers and Chevrolet to support the families who are sacrificing their holidays to serve our country."

All phones collected for Cell Phones for Soldiers are recycled, and the proceeds are used to purchase prepaid calling cards for members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The registered 501(C)3 was founded in 2004 by brother and sister Robbie and Brittany Bergquist. To date, they have provided more than 60 million minutes of free calling cards through a national network of individual and corporate supporters.

For more information, please visit www.gmmilitarydiscount.com.

About the GM Military Discount Program

The GM Military Discount is the industry's best military discount program. The GM Military Discount is offered to all active and Reserve members – and their spouses – of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, National Guard and Coast Guard. Discounts range based on the suggested retail price of the vehicle purchased. The GM Military Discount Program also offers an additional $750 discount for members of USAA. Both the GM Military Discount and USAA member discount are available on most Buick, GMC, and Chevrolet models. More information can be found at www.gmmilitarydiscount.com.

About Cell Phones for Soldiers:

Cell Phones for Soldiers was created by Brittany & Robbie Bergquist of Norwell MA. After reading a story about a soldier who ran up a huge phone bill calling home from Iraq, these two teenagers decided to help out. They started by opening an account with $21.00 of their own money. They are collecting cash donations and old cell phones. The cell phones are recycled for cash and the proceeds are used to buy prepaid calling cards for our soldiers serving in the Middle East. Cell Phones for Soldiers is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Their efforts have motivated people and businesses around the country to donate to this worthy cause. Their goal is to provide every US soldier with a way to call home for free. For more information, please visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com

SOURCE General Motors