Chevrolet to Raise $1M for Cell Phones for Soldiers Charity

American carmaker Chevrolet announced today the launch of a year-long campaign to raise $1 million to support Cell Phones for Soldiers. The money will be used to provide pre-paid calling cards to troops serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. In order to achieve its goal, Chevrolet is calling on GM employees, NASCAR fans, and Chevrolet dealers to donate used cell phones for recycling.

"We feel Cell Phones for Soldiers is a worthy cause that fits well with GM's long-standing commitment to support the men and women serving our country," said Mark Degnan, GM director of Local Advertising, Marketing and Training. "Personally, with a brother and a nephew in active duty in Iraq, I know how important every call home can be for soldiers overseas, and their families at home."

Cell Phones for Soldiers recently announced a new campaign to offer free cell phones to armed forces returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Chevrolet will also place collection boxes for used cell phones at nationwide Chevrolet dealers.

"There are more than 130 million phones retired every year in the United States," said Robbie Bergquist, co-founder of Cell Phones for Soldiers, in a release. "If just 2 percent of Americans were to donate their unwanted phones, we could supply every soldier with a free call home - and a small measure of our national gratitude."

Cell Phones for Soldiers will be featured at the following Chevy Racing Events in 2010:

• July 2-3 Daytona
• July 23-25 Indianapolis
• July 30-August 1 Pocono
• August 13-15 Michigan
• September 3-5 Atlanta
• September 10-11 Richmond
• September 24-26 Dover
• October 1-3 Kansas
• October 8-10 Fontana