Red Cross to Collect, Ship Prepaid Phone Cards to Troops

Red Cross to Collect, Ship Prepaid Phone Cards to Troops

News Release: March 26, 2003
Contact: Janice Osborne, Manager-Media & Community Affairs (610) 865-4400, ext. 262

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley announced today (3/26) that it will organize the shipment of prepaid phone cards to enable American military personnel overseas to stay in touch with their loves ones.

“Clearly, our community wants to do something for the thousands of service men and women who are overseas,” said John R. Hughes, executive director of the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley. “We can think of no better gift than hearing a loved one’s voice. Phone cards are something that an individual or a group of individuals can purchase, depending on one’s budget. Also, right now, with the heightened security, phone cards are something that would be easier to ship than items such as toiletries or sundries. However, that’s not to say we’re closing the door on sending these items in the future. Things are changing minute by minute and we want to stay flexible.”

Before purchasing a card, please check that the card is suitable for international calls. The only prepaid phone card that will work for personal communications from forward-deployed areas such as Kuwait is the international AT&T PrePaid Phone Card. AT&T PrePaid Phone Cards may be purchased at local area discount stores, drugstores or grocers. Before purchasing, read the packaging to be sure the card can be used internationally. It’s recommended that cards have at least 100 minutes of prepaid phone time.

Helping with the collection efforts are radio station WZZO, Enter.Net and the Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce. Phone cards may be dropped off at the following locations and times: American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem, Monday-Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Enter.Net, 815 N. 12th Street, Allentown, Monday-Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; WZZO, 1541 Alta Drive, Suite 400, Whitehall, Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and the Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce, 201 North Main Street, Nazareth, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cards will be accepted through April 18. All cards collected by that date will then be shipped by Red Cross for distribution overseas.

Monetary donations for the purchase of prepaid phone cards will be accepted by the Red Cross. Checks may be made payable to the American Red Cross and sent to 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem, Pa., 18017. The check must clearly state “prepaid phone card donation” on the memo line. For more information, call the local Red Cross at (610) 865-4400.

The American Red Cross supports members of the U.S. military and their families by:

facilitating emergency communication;

mobilizing and deploying Red Cross workers to live and work alongside troops;

reaching out to the “changing face” of the military, members of the National Guard/Reserves and their families;

and other social services including access to financial assistance, verification of information required for emergency leave, counseling, family support and veterans assistance.

The American Red Cross is not a government agency. We rely on the assistance of caring supporters like you to deliver our critical services. You can support U.S. military members and their families through the American Red Cross as we provide assistance and comfort. Your gift will support the nationally coordinated Red Cross services provided to military families across the country and to American service men and women located throughout the world. Please make a financial donation to Armed Forces Emergency Services by calling 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions may be sent to the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services, P. O. Box 91820, Washington, DC 20090. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training and emergency relief services to more than 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.