(August
24, 2005)
In order to further improve the lines of communication and
to respond to the concerns between the National VA Council and you our members,
I have established a National VA Council Briefing. This NVAC Briefing will bring
you the latest news and developments within DVA and
provide you with the current status of issues
this Council is currently addressing. I believe that this NVAC Briefing
will greatly enhance the way in which we communicate and the way in which we
share new information, keeping you better informed.
Alma L. Lee
National
VA Council, President
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In This Briefing: Cell Phone for Soldiers Program
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ATTENTION:
Local and Facility Leaders and Veterans Service Organizations:
The
Cell Phone for Soldiers is registered 501©(3) non-profit organization that was
started by two Massachusetts teenagers, Brittany and Robbie Bergquist, in April
2004. This program accepts
all cell phones, any make, and model, including the battery.
The phones are then recycled for cash and the proceeds are then used to
purchase prepaid calling cards. The
calling cards are then sent over to our soldiers serving in the Middle East.
I
am therefore inviting and encouraging all VA Medical Centers, Regional Offices,
Cemeteries, and Veterans Service Organizations to join us in this special
endeavor. We would like for all
facilities or organizations to do this on the same day, our special day is
October 16, 2005.
Phones
should be dropped off at participating Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Centers, Regional Offices, and Cemeteries, which in turn will send them to
recycling companies and the money earned will then be spent on prepaid calling
cards for our soldiers.
This
program is derived from of the National Cell Phone for Soldiers Program based in
Massachusetts. The program has
generated more than $250,000 and sent more than 9,000 prepaid calling cards to
our troops.
Attached
you will find a link that will provide you information regarding how to set up
your program, where to send the cell phones, cash donation options, and lots
more, including flyers and press releases that may be used.
Once
you have set up your program, please let the AFGE/National Veterans Affairs
Council and the American Federation of Government Employees National Office know
of your progress (i.e. how many cell phones you gathered and where you sent
them), National VA Council, Alma Lee at (540) 345-6301 or Enid Doggett at AFGE,
(202) 639-6422.
We
are here to serve the veterans, let us show them how much we appreciate the
sacrifices they are making for us
You
may visit the website at: <http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/pages/15/index.htm>
or
<http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/pages/1/index.htm>
Join
us today in this unique project and most worthy cause!