Used cell phones can provide link for families, soldiers in war

When Karen Luther was ready to retire her cell phone, she looked into a program she heard about on the news -- Cell Phones For Soldiers.

The program was started last year by two Massachusetts teenagers as a way to provide soldiers overseas with calling cards. Old cell phones and their batteries are collected and recycled for cash. So far, the program has raised more than $250,000, which has been used to buy 14,000 prepaid calling cards.

Luther was sold on the idea, but there was one problem: Cape Girardeau had no drop-off center. The nearest was in St. Louis, so Luther took it upon herself to change that because she saw the program as a way to give back to the military.

"The phones are sitting there anyway. They're not doing anything," she said. "This is a way to turn the cell phones into minutes for the soldiers."

Since Luther and her husband teach at Arena Park Golf, she asked owner Jack Pettet for permission to put a collection box at his business.

As Pettet agreed, he thought of all the golfers who pass through every day with their cell phones. He believed the potential was there.

"I like the idea," Pettet said. "In theory I think it's a tremendous deal."

Any make or model cell phone with the attached battery can be dropped off at Arena Park Golf at 2901 Hawthorne Road in Cape Girardeau to be recycled.

cpierce@semissourian.com

335-6611