DEXTER, Mich., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Cell Phones for Soldiers hopes to turn old cell phones into more than 12 million minutes of prepaid calling cards for U.S. troops stationed overseas in 2007. To do so, Cell Phones for Soldiers expects to collect 15,000 cell phones each month through a network of collection sites across the country.

ReCellular pays Cell Phones for Soldiers up to $50 for each donated phone - enough to provide twenty-five hours of calling cards to soldiers abroad.

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 almost $1 million and distributed more than 250,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers.

"We have been overwhelmed by the generous support of Americans who have helped our troops speak with their loved ones," says the teens' father, Bob Bergquist. "However the need for support keeps growing as more soldiers are sent to the Middle East or are asked to serve extended tours of duty."

The Bergquist family hopes to raise $9 million in the next five years to fund new programs, such as providing prepaid video phones to allow soldiers to see their families on a regular basis.

"Americans will replace an estimated 130 million cell phones this year, with the majority either discarded or stuffed in a drawer," says Mike Newman, vice president of ReCellular. "Unfortunately, most people don't realize that the small sacrifice of donating their unwanted phones can have a tremendous benefit for a worthy cause like Cell Phones for Soldiers."

Approximately half of the phones ReCellular processes are reconditioned and resold to wholesale companies in over 40 countries around the world. Handsets and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and recycled.

In 2007, ReCellular expects to recycle 1 million pounds of scrap phones and accessories, working with recycling partners to reclaim materials, including: -- Gold, silver and platinum from circuit boards -- Copper wiring from phone chargers -- Nickel, iron, cadmium and lead from battery packs -- Plastic from phone cases and accessories -- Paper and cardboard from shipping materials used for donations

ReCellular has supported more than 2000 organizations since the company pioneered the concept of charity cell phone fundraising.

"One of the founding principles of ReCellular is to build a successful business that is both socially and environmentally responsible," says Newman. "It is a great honor and privilege to support such a worthy and inspiring effort as the Bergquists' Cell Phones for Soldiers."

Visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com for more information, including a list of donation sites. Don't forget to click on the Volvo for Life logo to win $50,000 for our troops from the Volvo for Life Awards. Click on Massachusetts on the map and vote for Brittany and Robbie Bergquist. Vote as often as you can until Feb. 4, 2007.

About ReCellular Inc.:

With offices in the United States, Hong Kong, and Brazil, ReCellular Inc. is the world's foremost collector, reseller and recycler of used wireless phones and accessories. We provide solutions for the collection, reuse and recycling of used personal electronics that generate financial return for our partners, quality products for our customers, funding for charity organizations, and protection of the environment. Corporate and wholesale information is available at www.ReCellular.com. Consumer information, including the Cell Phone Data Eraser(TM) tool and charity fundraising information, is available at www.wirelessrecycling.com.