For more information, contact:Jessica EricksonAT&T Wisconsin608-282-7870 (work) 608-692-5340 (cell) jessica.erickson@att.com

Rhinelander Residents Encouraged to Donate Unwanted Cell Phones to Support Troops Starting Memorial Day Weekend

Military Support Group & AT&T Joining Forces to Support Charity’s Mission to Send Free Phone Cards to U.S. Troops Overseas

RHINELANDER, Thursday, May 22, 2014 – This Memorial Day weekend, Rhinelander area residents are being encouraged to donated their unwanted cell phones at locations throughout Rhinelander to help troops serving overseas call home to their families.

AT&T and the Military Support Group announced today that they are hosting a cell phone recycling drive at six locations throughout the city of Rhinelander in an effort to support U.S. military troops.

“Most of us have old cell phones laying around our house or office that we no longer use,” said Scott T. VanderSanden, president of AT&T Wisconsin. “As we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country this Memorial Day, we can help support those who are still serving by recycling our old phones. It is the least we can do to help our troops overseas stay connected with their families.”

All recycled cell phones will be donated to Cell Phones For Soldiers, a charity that uses recycling proceeds to buy and send free phone cards to military members stationed away from home. For every donated phone, Cell Phones For Soldiers is able to provide 30 minutes of free talk time to deployed troops.

“Our country owes a debt of gratitude to our troops that can never be repaid,” said Ray Zastrow, president of the Military Support Group. “But we can all show our support and gratitude for their service and sacrifice by recycling our old cell phones and helping them keep in touch with their loved ones back home.”

“Our military men and women make tremendous sacrifices to protect our nation and our freedoms each and every day,” said State Senator Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst). “This project is a great way to bring the community together to support our troops and honor their selfless service to our country.”

The collection drive will take place from May 23, 2014 to June 28, 2014. Collection points in Rhinelander include:

Trig’s Grocery, 232 S. Courtney Street

Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce, 450 W. Kemp Street

V.F.W. Club House, 120 E. Park Street

Veterans Center, 1002 Coon Street

Wal-Mart, 2121 Lincoln Street

Any Wisconsin resident can join the cause and donate old cell phones through three simple and free ways:

Donate old cell phones at any AT&T store located in Wisconsin Visit the Cell Phones for Soldiers website to locate a drop-off location near you; or Print off a free shipping label by visiting the Cell Phones for Soldiers website and mail in your old phones.

Cell Phones For Soldiers was founded in 2004 by then teenagers Brittany and Robbie Bergquist as a way for military families serving overseas to keep in touch with family back home.

AT&T has a long-standing mission of connecting members of our nation’s military with their loved ones back home. With the support of AT&T and cell phone donations by its customers, Cell Phones For Soldiers has generated more than $3 million to help connect military members to their families back home.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV service with the AT&T U-verse® brand. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

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