Central New York Community Answers the Call for Military Families

Nearly 1,000 Devices Collected in Central New York Drive Supporting Military Families

New York State Senator Joseph Griffo and the Central New York Veterans Outreach Center have announced the results of this year’s Cell Phones For Soldiers collection drive — and the impact is significant. Over the past month, approximately 1,000 gently used mobile devices were donated by residents across the region, turning everyday technology into meaningful connections for military members and veterans.

The annual drive, which ran from November 10 through December 10, marked the tenth consecutive year of the initiative and once again demonstrated the generosity and civic pride of communities throughout Central New York.

Community Effort Spanning Four Counties

The collection drive took place across Senator Griffo’s district, which includes all of Oneida and Madison counties and portions of Chenango and Herkimer counties. Ten designated drop-off locations allowed residents to easily contribute unused phones and devices, helping ensure broad participation throughout the region.

Joining Senator Griffo at the announcement were Rob Bergquist, co-founder of Cell Phones For Soldiers, as well as local veterans Joseph Fraccola and Lawrence “Larry” Badger. Bergquist and his sister Brittany founded the nonprofit organization in 2004 when they were just teenagers, launching what has since become a nationwide effort to support service members through communication.

Turning Old Devices Into Lifelines

For every donated phone valued at $5, Cell Phones For Soldiers is able to provide approximately two and a half hours of free talk time to deployed troops through calling cards. Proceeds from recycled devices fund long-distance calling cards for service members both at home and abroad, while some donated phones are refurbished and distributed directly to veterans in need with unlimited talk and text.

Thanks to this year’s collection, an estimated 150,000 minutes of free calls will now be available to men and women serving in the military — a powerful reminder of how small contributions can add up to meaningful support.

A Decade of Impact in Central New York

This year’s success builds on a decade-long tradition of community involvement. Over the past ten years, residents throughout Senator Griffo’s district have donated approximately 8,400 devices, providing nearly 890,000 minutes of free talk time to troops and veterans.

“Once again, our caring and compassionate community has stepped up in a big way to make the holidays brighter for our troops,” Sen. Griffo said. He thanked the Central New York Veterans Outreach Center, along with local businesses, libraries, and organizations that hosted drop-off locations, noting that the effort reflects how deeply residents value the service and sacrifices of military members and their families.

Vincent Scalise, executive director of the Central New York Veterans Outreach Center, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the generosity of community members and the importance of helping service members stay connected with loved ones during the holidays.

National Mission With Environmental Benefits

Cell Phones For Soldiers has provided more than 300 million minutes of free talk time to service members since its founding, distributing more than five million prepaid international calling cards and recycling more than 25 million mobile devices. On average, the organization distributes about 1,500 calling cards each week to military bases, care package programs, deployment ceremonies, and VA hospitals.

Beyond supporting military families, the program also plays an important role in environmental stewardship. Properly recycling mobile devices prevents harmful materials — including mercury, cadmium, lead, lithium batteries, and rare-earth minerals — from entering landfills and damaging ecosystems. Devices are securely dismantled by recycling partners, with reusable components resold to reduce demand for new mining while generating funding for the organization’s mission.

Recognizing Continued Commitment

At the conclusion of the announcement, Bergquist presented Senator Griffo with a plaque in appreciation of his decade-long support of the organization.

“On behalf of the entire team at Cell Phones For Soldiers — and the service members and veterans who have benefitted and will continue to benefit — I extend our deepest thanks to Sen. Griffo,” Bergquist said, noting the lasting impact of sustained community support.

As Think American News previously reported during the launch of this year’s drive, the initiative reflects a simple but powerful idea: that even an old cell phone can help bridge the distance between service members and home — and remind them they are not forgotten.