NASCAR

Sprint Cup

CUP: ‘Cell Phones For Soldiers’ To Visit RIR

The first 100 fans to donate a cell phone at Richmond International Raceway will take home a free hat...

Media Release | Posted April 29, 2010 Detroit, MI

Richmond International Raceway is set to host Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Race fans visiting Richmond International Raceway on April 30-May 1 can help American troops keep in touch with their loved ones – simply by bringing to the track a cell phone that’s no longer in use.

Cell Phones for Soldiers raises money through the collection of gently used mobile phones and will have drop-off boxes at RIR for this weekend’s NASCAR races. In addition to helping troops call home, the first 100 fans donating gently used phones will receive a hat, courtesy of the GM Military Discount program. Cell Phones for Soldiers has provided over the last six years more than 1 million pre-paid calling cards and 60 million minutes of calling time to soldiers overseas.

Cell Phones for Soldiers, a non-profit organization started in 2004 by 12- and 13-year-old siblings Robbie and Brittany Bergquist with just $21 of their own money, raises funds through the collection of gently used mobile phones, which are then refurbished or recycled. Each year, more than 130 million cell phones are decommissioned in the United States alone.

Fans not attending the races this weekend can visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com for more information on how to donate at one of the more than 3,000 collection points nationwide or to download a pre-paid, pre-addressed mailing label.

Once collected, the phones are processed by ReCellular, the world’s largest recycler of used mobile devices, and the phones are either refurbished and sold, or recycled under strict EPA guidelines. Cell Phones for Soldiers then utilizes the money from reselling the devices to purchase pre-paid calling cards to benefit the more than 200,000 troops stationed at military bases around the world.

Chevrolet is supporting Cell Phones for Soldiers by providing locations at the race tracks for drop boxes. Also, General Motors supports military personnel by providing discounts for active duty members and Reserves of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, National Guard and Coast Guard. For more information on the GM Military Discount, visit www.gmmilitarydiscount.com.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame Grand Opening is set for May 11, 2010. Outdoor Opening Ceremonies are May 11th from 9 to 10 am ET free of charge, open to the public. Outdoor festivities including driver appearances and concerts May 11th from 10 am until 8 pm ET open to the public, free of charge. Tickets to enter the NASCAR Hall of Fame are on sale now at www.NASCARHall.com or by calling 877-231-2010. The countdown to the NASCAR Hall of Fame is on! Visit www.NASCARHall.com/50days for daily updates about the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

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