Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone is urging Somerville residents to support troops overseas by donating old cell phones. The phones, he said, will be used to connect soldiers to their families back home.

“Many of us, myself included, take small conveniences like owning a cell phone for granted,” Curtatone said. “The more than 150,000 brave men and women overseas struggle daily to uphold the freedoms we enjoy today, and often do so without speaking to their loved ones. This is a small but meaningful way to enrich the lives of our soldiers, and we are proud to be contributing to through such a generous organization.”

The city will participate in the national ‚ÄúCell Phones for Soldiers‚Äù program, which provides more than 150,000 troops serving overseas with the opportunity to call home for free.   

Founded in 2004 by a brother-sister pair from Norwell, more than $1 million in donations and 400,000 prepaid calling cards have been raised through the program.

Residents interested in donating old cell phones may leave them at drop boxes located in the lobbies of the three branches of the Somerville Public Library. The donated cell phones are recycled for cash and the proceeds are used to provide soldiers with prepaid calling cards. Both cash donations and old cell phones are welcomed.  The cell phones are sent to ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each donated phone, enough to provide one hour of talk time.

“This cause has already motivated many businesses and individuals to make donations on behalf of US Soldiers,” said Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero. “Now Somerville residents have the opportunity to easily participate in such a remarkable organization.”

Local residents can support the cause by making donations at the Central Library, 79 Highland Ave., the East Branch Library, 115 Broadway and West Branch Library, 40 College Ave.