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Test Drive GM cars and help donate Cell Phones for Soldiers

The General Motors Group and Affinion Loyalty Group are teaming up to host a GM ride and drive event to support United States military troops. The drive will help acquire cell phone donations for our soldiers through the program called, “Cell Phones for Soldiers”.
Posted: September 6, 2011 - 12:25PM
Author: KC Kelly

The GM ride will be held in Richmond, Virginia right before the Richmond International Raceway's big fall weekend. Residents and guests are being welcomed and encouraged to come out and drive the GM vehicles to help support US military troops through a collaboration between Affinion Loyalty Group and General Motors who are bringing the public “Cell Phones for Soldiers”.

“Cell Phones for Soldiers Inc” is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing deployed and returning troops cost-free methods to communicate with family while serving in the United States military. It is based out of Norwell, Mass., and was founded in 2004 by Robbie and Brittany Bergquist.

To help collect cell phones for soldiers, guests are asked to bring any unwanted cell phones with them to the event. GM is attempting to raise over $1 million to support “Cell Phones for Soldiers”. And the cause will help to enlighten the lives of soldiers who are away from home and from their families.

All cell phones that are collected will be sold for recycling to purchase pre-paid calling cards to give to soldiers who are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Pre-paid cards can then be used by the troops to call their loved ones.

Among the different GM cars that will be at the event and available for guests to drive are the Chevy Cruze, Malibu, Chevrolet Volt, Camaro Coupe, Camaro Convertible, Corvette Grand Sport, Equinox, Traverse and Silverado HD. There will be a two-mile road course where the public can take the cars. Driving the cars is free of charge; however, drivers must be registered and have a valid driver’s license. To register log onto www.gmsupplierdiscount.com/alg or one can call 804-217-8090 for more information.

The location of the Affinion Loyalty Group and General Motors event “Cell Phones for Soldiers” is 7814 Carousel Lane, Richmond, VA 23294. Please arrive for early registration on Wednesday September 7th, 2011 from 10am-2pm.

In the press release concerning this grand event, Kathy Austin the vice president of human resources of the Affinion Loyalty Group stated, "We are delighted to bring this experience to the Richmond community. In addition, we are rallying our employees, and hoping that members of our community will join us by donating their phones to help our partner, GM, raise $1 million to support our troops overseas."

Comments

Gmc O'Fallon (not verified)    September 9, 2011 - 6:23PM

What a great cause. Making international telephone calls can be rather costly. It's great to give pre-paid cars to soldiers so they can call their families. If they have access to a PC, Skype is another good option. I don't know if it's free for International though.