Bay Street Players Collects Old Cell Phones For Soldiers

Cindy Satur's old cell phone has been sitting in a drawer for six months. But when she visits Bay Street Players this month, depositing her phone in the recycle bin will provide a call home for a U.S. solider serving on the front lines.

The Bay Street Players, where Satur serves on the board of directors, is partnering with Cell Phones for Soldiers, a 501(c)(3) organization that recycles old cell phones to provide calling cards for U.S. troops stationed overseas.

"Our newest production is called 'G.I. Holiday Jukebox'," shares Bonnie Swanson, the interim Executive Director of Bay Street Players. "As our audiences watch the play, which depicts Hollywood stars performing for the troops during wartime, we know they will want to help those brave men and women currently serving."

Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell, Mass., with $21 of their own money. Since then, the non-profit organization has raised millions of dollars in donations and distributed millions of prepaid calling cards to troops serving overseas.

Swanson is quick to point out that it's not necessary to see the show to donate.

"While we certainly want everyone to share in the beautiful holiday message of this show, the cell phone collection box will be in our lobby and available for anyone to drop off phones," says Swanson.

The theatre will collect phones during the entire production of "G.I. Holiday Jukebox," which runs from November 19th through December 12th. For more information or drop-off times, interested parties can contact the box office at 352-357-7777.

Satur, whose phone will either be refurbished and sold or broKen Down into base components and recycled, is pleased to know that her contribution will result in 60 minutes of prepaid calling time for a soldier serving in harm's way.

"It's the easiest holiday gift I can give to someone who does so much for all of us," says Satur.

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