Springfield, MO – Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell, Mass., with $21 of their own money.

Since then the registered 501c3 non-profit organization has raised millions of dollars in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas. Cell Phones for Soldiers expects to collect 50,000 cell phones each month through a network of more than 5,000 collection sites across the country. The phones are then sent to ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers enough to provide an hour of talk time per phone to soldiers abroad.

The Greater Ozarks Chapter of the American Red Cross considers it an honor and a privilege to support this effort and will have 4 locations in the 22 counties they serve where cell phones may be dropped off.

Joann Moore, Public Information Officer, said “We have been serving the military since the late 1800’s. In fact, our founder, Clara Barton, was known as “the angel of the battlefield.” We know how important it is for families to stay in touch and this is a truly inspiring way for us to recognize the men and women who are serving in the armed forces abroad.” Cell phones may be dropped off at the following locations: