Honor America’s Military by Donating a Used Cell Phone at InTouch Credit Union
Plano, TX (PRWEB) May 05, 2014 -- As we approach Memorial Day and the country pays tribute to our servicemen and women for May’s National Military Appreciation Month, InTouch Credit Union (ITCU) is excited to continue their 40th Anniversary celebration honoring America’s troops in the spirit of the credit union industry mission of “not for profit, not for charity, but for service.”
Through Saturday, May 31, 2014, ITCU is offering to match donations made at their branches to Cell Phones For Soldiers® (CPFS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which earns funds by recycling cell phones. CPFS uses those funds to purchase prepaid international calling cards for troops stationed abroad to connect with loved ones at home. For their 40th Anniversary, ITCU is giving CPFS $1 for each phone donated during the event and an equal dollar match for all monetary donations, up to $40,000.
Much has changed at ITCU, which originated as EDS Credit Union in 1974, over the last 40 years, having acquired both First American Federal Credit Union (FAFCU) and Ensign Federal Credit Union in 2009, leading to their InTouch Credit Union name change in 2010. ITCU, in its current iteration, continues to grow, with a recent acquisition of Dr Pepper Employees Federal Credit Union leading to their current standing with 75,000 plus members and more than $800 million in assets.
“InTouch is pleased to celebrate this way, partnering with our members to help our servicemen and women in uniform. We are so grateful that our members have continued to put their trust in us whether buying a car, refinancing a home over the past 40 years. The success we have achieved would not have been possible without our members, and we hope that giving back in this way honors and inspires them to get involved, too,” said Diane Gerstner, Executive Vice President of InTouch CU.
Cell Phones For Soldiers has provided more than 204 million minutes of free talk time to servicemen and women stationed around the world over the last decade. On average, CPFS generates 30 minutes of talk time with each dollar they earn.
“Each year we have been humbled by the number of people and organizations like InTouch Credit Union that have taken the initiative to support our troops,” said CPFS co-founder Brittany Bergquist. “Closing the geographic gap between those serving and their families is a crucial need that Cell Phones For Soldiers believes in and is committed to addressing as long as it has support from great companies like InTouch.”
For the privacy of donors, donated phones have their data wiped when they are recycled. Approximately half of the phones are reconditioned and reused, phones and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and responsibly recycled.
“We know that’ family’ is very important to our membership and we are excited to share this taste of home with those who protect us from across the globe,” proclaimed Gerstner.
Those who wish to get involved in InTouch Credit Union’s 40th Anniversary celebration may drop off cell phones and/or monetary donations at ITCU branches now through Saturday, May 31, 2014. For every cell phone collected at an ITCU branch during this period, ITCU will donate $1 to Cell Phones for Soldiers. Any monetary donations made to CPFS at an ITCU branch during this time will also be matched, up to a donation limit of $40,000 in total by the Credit Union.
About InTouch Credit Union
InTouch Credit Union (ITCU) is a financial cooperative that has been proudly serving its members since 1974. ITCU is committed to creating member value by placing the financial needs and delivery of exceptional service to the membership ahead of profit while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Featuring branches in four states with additional access to a nationwide network of 5,000 plus CU Service Centers, InTouch CU currently boasts assets of $817 million and serves more than 75,000 members across all 50 states as well as more than 20 countries around the world. Membership eligibility rules are available on ITCU.org for potential members to review. InTouch Credit Union can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and LinkedIn.
About Cell Phones For Soldiers, Inc.
Cell Phones For Soldiers Inc. is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing cost-free communication services to active-duty military members and veterans. Founded in 2004 by Robbie and Brittany Bergquist, then 12 and 13 years old, Cell Phones For Soldiers has provided more than 204 million “Minutes That Matter” to deployed troops. Since 2012, “Helping Heroes Home” has provided emergency funds for more than 400 returning veterans to alleviate communication challenges as well as physical, emotional and assimilation hardships. For more information, visit http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest pages.
Liz Cappon, InTouch Credit Union, https://www.itcu.org, 214-291-1932, [email protected]
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