Leadership Studies students have recently teamed up with the nonprofit organization, Cell Phones for Soldiers, to help U.S. troops overseas call home.

The project began last semester as an idea to emphasize UNCW’s commitment to supporting the military, while giving leadership students in their capstone course an opportunity to collaborate on a class project and apply the skills they’ve been learning in a comprehensive way.

“Being a military-friendly campus, I think it is extremely important for students to continue conveying support not solely through words, but action too. Cell Phones for Soldiers is an amazing cause and drive for families and military members to stay connected while serving their country,” said Leadership Studies student Keith Fraser.

The Cell Phones for Soldiers organization works like this: they collect old, donated cell phones (even phones that are not in working condition can be donated), the phones are sent to ReCellular to be recycled, and then Cell Phones for Soldiers uses the money from recycling the phones to provide calling cards to service men and women stationed all over the world. On average Cell Phones for Soldiers distributes 12,000 calling cards each week. For every donated phone valued at $5, Cell Phones for Soldiers is able to provide two and a half hours of free talk time to the troops.

“Cell Phones for Soldiers is so great because almost everyone has an old, defunct cell phone lying around. Donating a cell phone takes no time at all, is as simple as dropping it in a box, yet this simple act does something so great for our troops,” said leadership student Liza White. “Supporting our troops is a great cause and it is something everyone can agree on because we all know at least one person in the military, and if we don’t, we certainly are affected by our troops. People should donate their cell phones because it so greatly benefits our service men and women.”

Cell phones can be donated beginning Mar. 26 and will be accepted all week. Cell phones can be dropped off at any one of the following locations on campus: the Seahawk Perch, Randall Library, Wagoner Hall, Cameron School of Business, Watson School of Education, Friday Annex, Admissions Office, Campus Recreation Center and Center for Activities & Involvement (CAIC). The donation week will culminate with the annual UNCW Military Appreciation Day baseball game Saturday, Mar. 31, during which members of the community and students can donate their old cell phones.

The Leadership Studies minor students come from all majors and are involved everywhere on campus, including athletics. A number of leadership students are student athletes, and they have used this connection to benefit Cell Phones for Soldiers. The UNCW track and field team has a home meet on the same day as the Military Appreciation baseball game, and cell phones can be donated at the meet as well. The track and field team has challenged competing universities to bring as many cell phones to the meet as possible. To add incentive, the team that donates the most cell phones will win a prize.

“As a leadership minor and a student athlete, I think that Cell Phones for Soldiers is a wonderful opportunity to unite with various organizations to show our support to the military. As an athlete, I believe that while we compete against each other with our determination driven by sport, we may also work as one to fuel our gratitude for those that defend our country,” said leadership student and student athlete Jordan Daywalt.

Since 2004 when Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by 12- and 13-year-olds Robbie and Brittany Bergquist, the organization has raised more than $7 million and collected 8.3 million cell phones, providing more than 114 million minutes of free talk time to service men and women to call loved ones back home. The Leadership Studies students encourage the UNCW community to continue helping this organization simply by donating old cell phones.

“Partnering with Cell Phones for Soldiers has not only given us as students the opportunity to give back to the people who so courageously fight for our country, but has also created a leadership legacy that will carry on over the years,” said leadership student Lauren Capella.

“Cell Phones for Soldiers is such a great way to give back to those who have put their lives on the line for our country. I am so proud to be a part of this and am so thrilled to see how successful it can be,” said Leadership Studies minor student Alexa Regimand.