Donate Your Phone for Our Troops Overseas

Cell Phones for Soldiers is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization that was started by two Norwell, Massachusetts teenagers to help buy prepaid calling cards to send to our service people serving overseas. Started in April of 2004, Cell Phones for Soldiers has provided more than 300,000,000 minutes to our troops. Each donated device valued at $5.00 will provide troops with an estimated 2.5 hours of free talk time.

In addition to calling cards, Cell Phones for Soldiers is now sending video phones to units in the Middle East and to their home base as well, so families are able to see each other as they talk. The phone and service are provided free to service people and their families.

Items Accepted

The program will accept all makes, models and condition of:

• Cell phones / Smartphones
• MP3 players
• Tablets
• Chargers*
• Batteries*
• Accessories*
• Blackberry PDAs
• Pagers

*These items do not contribute towards the phone cards, but they will be disposed of in an environmentally safe way.

Dropping Off Items

Please do not include boxes or instructions when dropping off your donation. All devices will be recycled for cash to purchase cards or unlimited free video phone calls by Cell Phones for Soldiers.

For your protection, please restore your phone to the factory setting and remove SIM and SD cards.

Locations and Hours for Dropping Off Items

There are several locations at which you can drop off phones, attached batteries and accessories. (Tax donated forms are at each drop point.)

• Vernon Hills Police Department, 740 Lakeview Parkway is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 
• Vernon Hills Village Hall, 290 Evergreen Drive - Monday thru Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
• Vernon Hills Public Works Facility, 490 Greenleaf Drive - Monday thru Friday (excluding holidays) from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm

Additional Information

If you plan on shipping phones to VHPD, ship them directly to the recycling plant instead. Shipping information can be found at Cell Phones for Soldiers.

Information on cash donations can also be found at Cell Phones for Soldiers.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation and participation in helping our troops overseas feel at little more at home. If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact Community Service Officer Lonnie Paulausky by email.