“One of the most moving letters I’ve received was from a father who said that using our calling card, while deployed, gave him a little bit of heaven in the middle of war.” – Brittany
Get ready for a story that will rock you – meet Brittany Bergquist.
In 2004, at just 13 years old, Brittany, alongside her 12 year old brother, Robbie, took the first step in creating a national sensation. “When 9/11 happened and a new war started, my brother and I were quite young, 4th and 5th grade, but that day had a serious impact on us – it rapidly changed everything we knew. There was much more of a focus on what was going on in the world and our troops – we had two cousins that were deployed. When we saw a news story about a soldier’s family that got an $8,000 phone bill for receiving calls from their deployed soldier, we were terrified that our family was going to go through the same thing. We couldn’t imagine not hearing from our cousins that they were OK.”
Motivated by the belief that no family should be disconnected from their loved ones while deployed, Brittany and Robbie hatched a plan to help the family with the $8,000 phone bill pay it off by collecting used cellphones and selling them to a company that recycles the phones. Donations of used cell phones poured in and Brittany and Robbie raised enough money to pay off the family’s phone bill. But the out-pouring of support from the community showed that more could be done. With that, Cell Phones for Soldiers (CPFS) was born.
Seven years later – $8 MILLION DOLLARS RAISED, 8.5 MILLION CELLPHONES COLLECTED (a.k.a. recycled and kept out of landfills) and 114 MILLION MINUTES OF TALK TIME DONATED TO OUR SOLDIERS – Brittany found a short break in her schedule (between appearing on The Today Show, being honored at the Self Awards and keeping up with her class schedule, she’s an undergrad studying marketing) to chat with me – a conversation that would spark my own inspiration!
Stephanie Goetsch: What differentiates you – a woman who took a moment of inspiration and acted – from
the millions that have good ideas but never do a thing about it?
Brittany Bergquist: My brother and I were so young that we weren’t afraid to put ourselves out there, to speak our minds and to try and make a difference. It didn’t matter if we heard “No” – it wasn’t going to kill us. That’s the challenge as we get older; we get more fearful of going against the standard and trying to break the mold. I think people just have to have more confidence in their passion.
If you’re able to define what you’re passionate about, you will exude confidence and other people will want to join you because they see you as a leader — that’s part of the reason why CPFS is what it is.
SG: I agree and to some level we all struggle with confidence. With all of the success of CPFS, is there anything that still shakes you?
BB: I am constantly nervous! But I’ve learned that even if I have to fake it to make it, I push myself past my comfort zone. Whatever it is, it’s about getting yourself out of your comfort zone because that’s what allows you to grow.
SG: What keeps CPFS going?
BB: We are lucky that running a non-profit generally attracts very kind, generous people. We’ve found that if we do hit a speed bump, or go through a rough time as an organization, there always seems to be someone that comes out of the woodworks to help.
SG: What is the feeling you have knowing the impact CPFS has made on so many lives?
BB: It’s unbelievable and overwhelming to know that we’ve been able to help out families that we’re never going to see; that we’ve had an impact on their lives.
When I was getting older, I considered joining the military; I really wanted to serve my country. Unfortunately, I have asthma and hip problems so I couldn’t pass a PT test. I consider CPFS to be my way of serving the country and showing my appreciation for the military. It’s given me a little bit of satisfaction that I’m still able to make a difference in the lives of the military.
SG: What was the moment, with all of the growth and success, that you felt CPFS accomplished its mission?
BB: Actually, I can’t say that I’ve really ever felt that mission- accomplished feeling because our eyes are always set higher. I don’t think that we’ll truly feel that mission-accomplished feeling until we make it so that every soldier can call home for free. 
SG: Wow. I’m full of goose-bumps, and for once, speechless! I hope you do allow yourself moments here and there to soak in the impact that you make – it’s immense. Even as you strive for more, what you’ve already accomplished leaves an incredible footprint on individual hearts. Watching you changes what people believe is possible in their own lives.
SG: What’s next for you and CPFS?
BB: [After graduating] I would love to take over CPFS full time, to take on a lot more of the administration, rather than being the spokesperson. It’s my baby, my passion. My dad always says, “If your job is what you love, then you’ll never work a day in your life.” That’s my goal; to be passionate and happy when I go to work every day.
A goal Brittany is well on her way to achieving – I’d say, mission-accomplished.
From Stephanie: I talk to a lot of incredible women that passionately support causes they love, but there was something 
about my conversation with Brittany that sparked a feeling I couldn’t ignore. I had to give back, to let Brittany know the impact she had on me by spreading the mission of CPFS. Alongside the incredible support of the CPFS Team, and arm in arm with my close friends, I’ve created “Clean Up & Give Back to benefit Cell Phones for Soldiers.” I don’t know much about cellphones, but I know a thing or two about fashion.
Clean Up & Give Back is a new and gently-worn garment, accessories, handbag and shoe auction happening THIS SUNDAY, October 9th in Washington, D.C. at Parish Gallery (1054 31st NW) from 12:00-5:00.
Through the extraordinary generosity of women across this country who have been cleaning out their closets, bagging up their best fashions and sending them to my door-step, Parish Gallery is going to be a fashionista’s dream – all to raise awareness and support for CPFS.
Lots more event info HERE: http://www.herexchange.com/clean-up-give-back-fashion-event/
Can’t make it to Clean Up & Give Back on Sunday? Don’t worry. You can support CPFS by donating your used cell phones, or making monetary donations. Visit www.CellPhonesforSoldiers.com for all the information.
Be inspired to (shop, and) give back!
-Stephanie Goetsch, October 2011
