  Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded in 2004 by teenagers Robbie (18) and Brittany (19) Bergquist from Norwell, Mass., with $21 of their own money when they were 12 and 13, respectively. Since then, the registered 501c3 non-profit organization has raised almost $2 million in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas.
"...Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by myself and my younger brother, Robbie Bergquist. To date we have collected more than 7.5 million cell phones and provided military personnel with more than 90 million minutes of pre-paid calling cards . . . Building this program has given me the most positive and motivating experience of my life, and has motivated corporate and individual groups to work for the betterment of our military communities..." Brittany Bergquist 2010 Their father, Bob Bergquist, elaborates... “Cell Phones for Soldiers started as a small way to show our family's appreciation for the men and women who have sacrificed the day-to-day contact with their own families to serve in the U.S. armed forces . . . Over the past few years, we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of others. But, we have also seen the need to support our troops continue to grow as more troops are sent overseas for longer assignments.” And since Robbie and Brittany started Cell Phones for Soldiers when they were students in middle school, they are also listed in Student Patriots Hall of Honor with a link to this page. "Brittany and Robbie Bergquist are wonderful representatives of their American generation . . . and shining examples to all Americans in their unyielding, dedicated efforts in support of our brave, honorable troops . . . and doing so since they were 13 and 12 years old. Brittany and Robbie exemplify being true patriots, who I am sure make their parents very proud!" David G. Bancroft, USA Patriotism! founder |
