05/24/2012 9:19 AM -
FELD ENTERTAINMENT AND SMG AMERICAN BANK CENTER
HAVE PARTNERED WITH CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS
TO PROVIDE TROOPS WITH FREE CALLS HOME
In honor of Military Appreciation Month, Feld Entertainment, SMG American Bank Center and non-profit Cell Phones for Soldiers Inc. are asking Coastal Bend 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, Coastal Bend residents can provide troops with that precious connection to loved ones back home.
Beginning today through June 17, 2012, residents can donate their phones to the cause at American Bank Center Arena Box Office and Main Office in the Convention Center, Monday through Friday, 10AM- 6PM. For every cellular phone donated a voucher will be given for a 50% discount off ticket prices for a family 4 pack of tickets to Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey’s Fully Charged. The vouchers are valid for shows on Saturday, June 16 at 11:30AM, 3:30PM & 7:30 PM and Sunday, June 17 at 1:30PM. Offer valid for tickets priced at $13.00 & $21.50.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to give thanks to our troops and help bring them closer to their families during deployment,” said Eric Jaramillo, SMG American Bank Center Director of Marketing. “Feld Entertainment partners with us frequently by engaging our community with their family shows and we greatly appreciate them offering discount vouchers for their upcoming show Fully Charged to help collect cell phone donations.”
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.
“Each year we have been humbled by the amount of people and organizations like FELD Entertainment and SMG American Bank Center that take the initiative to support our troops,” said co-founder Brittany Bergquist. “We have also watched the communication gap between our armed forces and their loved ones continue to grow as more troops are deployed for their third or fourth tour overseas.”
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.’’
American Bank Center is Corpus Christi’s premier event center providing unprecedented
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ABOUT CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS INC.
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. Based in Norwell, Mass., CPFS was founded in 2004 by Robbie and Brittany Bergquist, then 12 and 13 years old. 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. Find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/JoinCellPhonesforSoldiers.
ABOUT FELD ENTERTAINMENT
Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment's productions have appeared in more than 70 countries on six continents and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Feld Motor Sports, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!
For more information about Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey presents Fully Charged, visit www.feldentertainment.com.
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