Cell phones donated in Chicopee

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - This was military appreciation day at Porter and Chester Institute in Chicopee.

Volunteers collected used cell phones to help servicemen and women overseas stay in contact with their loved ones back home.

“ Cell phones for soldiers is a program that collects old cell phones and donates it and turns it into calling cards for our soldiers to call home, because it's very expensive for them to call,” Amanda Lovett said.

The used cell phones are then recycled or refurbished for use by American soldiers in different parts of the world.