Illinois Nonprofit Needs Old Phones/Tablets to Help Deployed Soldiers

I can't lie, I have a weird thing where I can't throw out my old phones. There's a couple reasons. First, I know that my garbage bin in my kitchen most likely isn't the place I'm supposed to throw out a cellphone. And secondly, I keep them as a back up phone just in case my phone breaks.

But I think it's time to give up my cell phone hoarding addiction and put them to good use. Can you relate?

Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful is collecting old cell phones and tablets. They will go to “Cell Phones for Soldiers.” The group recycles the devices and then they use the money to buy gift cards so soldiers can call home for free.

According to WTVO, all makes and models are accepted. A lot of businesses have been negatively impacted this year, but one organizer explains how COVID has actually helped their business -

It’s actually been very good because people have been cleaning out their homes and because of that we are now getting some more donations, which is wonderful because we are considered essential and we’ve been open since the beginning.

The two drop-off locations are at 4665 Hydraulic Road in Rockford (open Tuesdays 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) and 8409 N. 2nd Street in Machesney Park (Open Wednesdays 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.).

H/T WTVO