Minutes That Matter

A Legacy of Connection. A Lifetime of Impact.

For more than two decades, Minutes That Matter helped deployed service members stay connected to the people waiting for them back home. What began as a simple idea grew into one of the nation's most impactful military support initiatives, delivering millions of moments that mattered most.

+21 Years

Serving Soldiers

+450M

Minutes Delivered

+8M

Calling Cards Distributed

We built a bridge where the path seemed broken

Our approach was intentionally simple, but its execution required immense human and technical dedication. We created a system that allowed service members to request and receive connection codes immediately, from anywhere in the world, bypassing the cold, endless bureaucracy of traditional institutional aid.

We had to interface with legacy military telecom infrastructures and seamlessly patch them into modern digital carriers, ensuring that the heavy weight of a thousand-mile journey melted away the moment they heard a loved one pick up the line.

An Idea That Changed
Millions of Conversations

2004

Robbie and Brittany Bergquist founded Cell Phones for Soldiers after learning about the financial burden many military families faced simply trying to stay connected.

Donations

Communities across the country donated their used phones, turning something forgotten in a drawer into a lifeline for a deployed service member.

Recycling

Every donated phone was responsibly recycled, and the proceeds went straight back into the program.

Calling Cards

Those funds purchased prepaid international calling cards, sent free of charge to troops stationed overseas.

Connection

Millions of conversations became possible: birthdays, bedtime stories, and simple reassurance from home.

Proof That Empathy Scales

Before smartphones and unlimited calling plans, staying in touch from overseas wasn't easy. For deployed service members, a single phone call home could provide comfort, reassurance, and strength during some of life's most difficult moments.

Our Programs

Cell Phones for Soldiers programs are designed to keep troops connected with their loved ones, assist veterans in their transition to civilian life, and offer critical financial support when needed. Discover how our initiatives make a difference in the lives of military families every day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Since 2004, our Minutes That Matter has had a simple mission: to help deployed troops stay connected by providing free calling cards for military personnel, ensuring they can call home at no charge .
Since 2004, our Minutes That Matter has had a simple mission: to help deployed troops stay connected by providing free calling cards for military personnel, ensuring they can call home at no charge .
Since 2004, our Minutes That Matter has had a simple mission: to help deployed troops stay connected by providing free calling cards for military personnel, ensuring they can call home at no charge .
Since 2004, our Minutes That Matter has had a simple mission: to help deployed troops stay connected by providing free calling cards for military personnel, ensuring they can call home at no charge .

A Legacy of Connection. A Lifetime of Impact.

We built a bridge where the path seemed broken

An Idea That Changed
Millions of Conversations