Local groups answer call to help soldiers

One little phone call.

It's something easily taken for granted by the average Joe. But for Utah soldiers serving abroad, that one phone call can make all the difference.

Dialing home from thousands of miles away is a financial burden some soldiers just can't bear, said Monica Berger, whose husband is serving in Afghanistan.

"It's quite expensive; I don't know how many soldiers are able to afford it," Berger said. "But it's a real comfort to hear him."

When he's not patrolling the Afghanistan roads, Army Reserve Master Sgt. Ty Berger is keeping the Davis County streets safe. The West Point native has worked at the Davis County Sheriff's Office for the past 10 years.

Monica and Ty Berger usually speak on the phone every Sunday. The calls can get pretty expensive, but they are worth it, Monica Berger said.

So the Davis County Sheriff's Office is doing what it can to help its own. Sgt. Maureen Benson enlisted the office as a drop-off point for Cell Phones for Soldiers — a program that collects old cellular phones and sells them to companies that refurbish them for resale.

The group then purchases calling cards for soldiers serving abroad.

"Knowing that we had several officers that were over there (serving), I thought this was a good idea," Benson said. "We do what we can to help our guys."

Benson first found out about the program while researching ways to get rid of her old phone.

A pair of Massachusetts siblings started Cell Phones for Soldiers in April 2004 to help soldiers phone home free. The program has raised more than $150,000 and has sent more than 4,000 prepaid calling cards to the troops.

Drop off any make or model cell phone at the Davis County Sheriff's Office, 800 W. State in Farmington.

"You're sending cell phones, and you want to get rid of your cell phone anyway," Benson said. "It makes sense."

Another place to drop off old phones is Liberty Tax Service in Orem, 148 S. State.

In a little under three weeks — and with only word-of-mouth advertising — the Orem firm collected almost 200 phones, thanks largely to a big boost from the Provo Police Department.

The department has handed in more than 100 dark blue Nokia phones along with batteries, chargers and cases.

Greg Moser, the owner of the Orem franchise, said people can slip their phones through a mail slot in the front window pane if the offices aren't open when they come by.

The business is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. He also plans to bear the cost of shipping the phones to their final destinations.

Those who donate a phone also qualify for a $25 discount on tax preparation.

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Contributing: Sharon Haddock

E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com