About Us

Connection

Saves Lives

For many veterans, the hardest battles don’t happen overseas, they happen after coming home.

Isolation. Disconnection. Barriers to care.
A lack of access to something most of us take for granted: a working phone and reliable service.

At Cell Phones for Soldiers, we believe connection is not a luxury.
It’s a lifeline.

How it Began

Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by siblings Rob and Brittney Bergquist, who saw a news story about a deployed service member struggling with the cost of staying connected to family.

What started as a small act of empathy, collecting old phones and turning them into calling card minutes, quickly grew into a nationwide movement.

As technology evolved, so did the needs CPFS serves.

The Mission Today

Today, Cell Phones for Soldiers focuses on connecting low-income and unhoused veterans to the people and resources that help them survive and rebuild.

 

Through donated devices and service plans, we provide:

 

  • Smartphones
  • Reliable wireless service
  • Up to two years of paid connectivity for eligible veterans

These phones do far more than make calls.

 

They connect veterans to:

 

  • Family and support networks
  • Doctors and mental health providers
  • VA services and benefits
  • Employment opportunities
  • Emergency assistance

In moments of crisis and moments of rebuilding, connection can be the difference between isolation and support.

 

Our mission is simple:

To connect veterans in need with the lifeline they deserve.

 

Because no one who served our country should ever be left disconnected from care, support, or opportunity.

Leadership

From the beginning, Rob Bergquist has remained deeply committed to the mission, guiding Cell Phones for Soldiers through every stage of its growth.

As the organization matured, Rob helped lead its transition from short-term calling support for active-duty service members to a long-term, sustainable program focused on veterans most at risk of disconnection.

Under his leadership, Cell Phones for Soldiers has expanded its impact, strengthened its partnerships, and built the infrastructure needed to deliver reliable connectivity to veterans who need it most.

Built for the Long Term

Cell Phones for Soldiers operates through a sustainable, donation-driven model.

Donated devices are responsibly refurbished or recycled, funding our programs while reducing electronic waste. This approach allows us to serve veterans at scale; efficiently, ethically, and long-term.

Cell Phones for Soldiers has grown with intention, adapting to real-world needs while staying true to the values that started it all.

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Timeline

The Spark

Cell Phones for Soldiers began when siblings Rob and Brittney Bergquist saw a service member struggling to afford staying in touch with family. A small act of empathy sparked a nationwide movement.

A Movement Takes Shape

Communities across the country rallied, donating phones and support. What started small quickly became a national effort to keep service members connected.

Growing Responsibly

As the organization expanded, Cell Phones for Soldiers evolved its programs to meet legal, operational, and logistical realities — building a stronger foundation for long-term impact.

A Steady Hand Forward

From the beginning, Rob Bergquist has remained committed to guiding the organization, helping shape its growth and long-term direction as needs changed.

Meeting Veterans Where They Are

As challenges shifted, so did the mission; from short-term calling support to long-term connectivity for veterans most at risk of disconnection.

Phones That Do More

Today, Cell Phones for Soldiers provide smartphones and reliable service to low-income and unhoused veterans, connecting them to care, family, jobs, and critical resources.

Built for the Long Term

Through a sustainable, donation-driven model, Cell Phones for Soldiers continues to expand access, reduce waste, and ensure no veteran is left disconnected.
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Our Impact by the Numbers

7,5 K

Service members assisted through emergency funds

25M

Recycled phones

1.725B

Kgs CO2 Emissions by recycling electronic devices

400M

Minutes of Airtime for service members worldwide

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Testimonials

Testimonial

★★★★★

Michael C.

I received my cell phone from Cell Phones for Soldiers while I was in a VA rehabilitation program. At the time, I was broke, homeless, without a phone, and feeling hopeless. Thanks to God, America, and the VA, I was given a phone through Cell Phones for Soldiers. Having that phone allowed me to immediately connect with an extensive health care team that literally saved my life. While I was in rehab, I was diagnosed with cancer. Cell Phones for Soldiers made it possible for me to stay in constant contact with my health care team throughout my treatment. Nine months later, after a successful operation and six months of chemotherapy, I am still alive, hopeful, and deeply thankful for all the blessings that Cell Phones for Soldiers and the VA continue to provide. Again, God bless America.

Testimonial

★★★★★

Michael C.

I received my cell phone from Cell Phones for Soldiers while I was in a VA rehabilitation program. At the time, I was broke, homeless, without a phone, and feeling hopeless. Thanks to God, America, and the VA, I was given a phone through Cell Phones for Soldiers. Having that phone allowed me to immediately connect with an extensive health care team that literally saved my life. While I was in rehab, I was diagnosed with cancer. Cell Phones for Soldiers made it possible for me to stay in constant contact with my health care team throughout my treatment. Nine months later, after a successful operation and six months of chemotherapy, I am still alive, hopeful, and deeply thankful for all the blessings that Cell Phones for Soldiers and the VA continue to provide. Again, God bless America.

Testimonial

★★★★★

Michael C.

I received my cell phone from Cell Phones for Soldiers while I was in a VA rehabilitation program. At the time, I was broke, homeless, without a phone, and feeling hopeless. Thanks to God, America, and the VA, I was given a phone through Cell Phones for Soldiers. Having that phone allowed me to immediately connect with an extensive health care team that literally saved my life. While I was in rehab, I was diagnosed with cancer. Cell Phones for Soldiers made it possible for me to stay in constant contact with my health care team throughout my treatment. Nine months later, after a successful operation and six months of chemotherapy, I am still alive, hopeful, and deeply thankful for all the blessings that Cell Phones for Soldiers and the VA continue to provide. Again, God bless America.

Make a Difference Today

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