EAST BRUNSWICK — The staff of the Brunswick Memorial Home collected more than 700 used cell phones in the past three months in support of Cell Phones for Soldiers (CPS).
A nonprofit charity, CPS recycles the phones and uses the cash to distribute free prepaid calling cards to troops serving overseas.
“While we will be a drop-off site for CPS indefinitely, we wanted to give this project a big boost and decided we would engage the community,” said Peter Kulbacki, manager of the funeral home. “We reached out to some schools, churches and temples, all of whom were enthusiastic about what we were doing.”
In the schools, the funeral home encouraged students and teachers to participate by offering a pizza party to the classroom that accumulated the largest donation. On the streets, Brunswick Memorial emblazoned the back window of its Smart Car with an appeal for donations from local drivers.
In addition to the 700 phones, more than 200 pounds of chargers and other accessories were sent off to be recycled, totaling 11 boxes of donations.
“We are constantly looking for novel ways to support the community, and it was our honor and privilege to do this for our deserving men and women serving overseas,” said Brian Kulbacki, business manager.
The funeral home will continue to accept used cell phones. Donations may be dropped off at the office on Cranbury Road during regular business hours. More information can be found at www.Brunswick- MemorialHome.com.