AT&T Pioneers and Cell Phones for Soldiers Connect Military Families for Valentine's Day

NORWELL, Mass., Feb. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T Pioneers and long-time charitable collaborator Cell Phones for Soldiers Inc., a 501(c)(3) dedicated to providing free calls home to deployed armed forces, have teamed up to keep active duty military personnel connected to loved ones for Valentine's Day. This year, 30,000 service men and women will receive a precious call home and a special Valentine courtesy of AT&T Pioneers and Cell Phones for Soldiers as a tribute to their sacrifice and service to the nation. As part of a larger effort, the AT&T Pioneers are distributing more than 65,000 calling cards to active military members.

Each year, AT&T Pioneers collect cell phones benefitting Cell Phones for Soldiers and also prepare and send thousands of care packages to troops serving overseas, greet soldiers at airports and host various events to recognize the sacrifice of military members and their families.

"I have watched our charity grow and flourish as new partners come on board, and I have to give credit to our earliest supporters like AT&T Pioneers," said co-founder of Cell Phones for Soldiers, Brittany Bergquist. "They have made supporting our military overseas with free phone calls home possible. Because of their continued commitment, we are able to provide troops with a growing number of minutes each year."

"AT&T Pioneers is proud to join with Cell Phones for Soldiers to connect the brave men and women serving our country and their families during this special time of the year," said Debbie Pyle, vice-president, AT&T Pioneers. "We applaud our troops for their sacrifice and hope that a call home will make a small difference to them and their loved ones."

To learn how to support free calls home to military overseas or to request a calling card for a military member, visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com. AT&T customers can text "CP4S" to 704 to make a $5 contribution to Cell Phones for Soldiers. AT&T is waiving all messaging charges and taxes for the text donations. The donations will appear as a line-item on the customer's bill or be debited from a prepaid account.  

About AT&T Pioneers

Founded in 1911 as the Telephone Pioneers of America with Alexander Graham Bell as one of the first members, the AT&T Pioneers continue to build on the millions of hours dedicated to helping others. More than 300,000 AT&T employees and retirees are involved in the AT&T Pioneers volunteer organization. In 2009, AT&T employees and retirees, donated more than 8.5 million hours of time, worth more than $176 million, to community outreach activities— much of it led by the AT&T Pioneers.

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 7.5 million cell phones and provided troops overseas with more than 90 million minutes of free talk time. For more information www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JoinCellPhonesforSoldiers.

SOURCE AT&T Pioneers