Community Corner

Cellphone Collection Nets Big Rewards

Brunswick Memorial Home has raised 700 phones so far to be sold for pre-paid calling cards.

Over 700 used cell phones were collected by the staff of the in the past three months in support of Cell Phones for Soldiers (CPS), a nonprofit charity which recycles the units and uses the cash to distribute free prepaid calling cards to troops serving overseas.

“While we will be an ongoing drop off site for CPFS indefinitely, we wanted to give this project a big boost and decided we would engage the community” according to 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.  Concurrently, on the streets, Brunswick Memorial emblazoned the back window of their Smart Car with an appeal for donations from local drivers.

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The firm had set agoal of collecting 1000 phones by Memorial Day, and while the number collected fell short, the staff was nonetheless pleased with the results.  That satisfaction was largely derived from to the fact that, in addition to the 700 phones, over 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. 

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The funeral home will continue to accept used cell phones, and donations can be dropped off to their office on Cranbury Road during regular business hours.

More information on Brunswick Memorial Home or its charitable efforts can be found at www.BrunswickMemorialHome.comor by calling 732-254-9393.


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