Rep. Sente collects 34 phones for soldiers

State Rep. Carol Sente, a Democrat from Vernon Hills, announced that her second annual Holiday Cell Phones for Soldiers Drive was an overwhelming success.

"Thank you to everyone in our community who helped make this year's Cellphones for Soldiers Drive a success," Sente said. "It was heartwarming to see so many people stopping by my office to donate their gently used cellphones and in doing so, making the holidays a little brighter for our servicemen and women who are thousands of miles away defending our country's freedoms."

Sente's office received 34 cellphones during the drive that, once processed, could provide as many as 85 hours of free talk time for deployed soldiers to call home to their loved ones. The number of phones collected this year was over 25 percent higher than in its inaugural year - a trend that Sente hopes will continue during next year's drive.

"The holidays can be a challenging time both for our soldiers and their families, who are unable to celebrate their traditions with one another this time of year," Sente said. "I am proud to see our community come together to support so many different causes that help those who are less fortunate or face a particular hardship. Whether it is through Cellphones for Soldiers, or another program in which residents are involved, every little bit helps make our world a better place to live."

For more information, contact Sente's full-time constituent service office, at (847) 478-9909, or email RepSente@gmail.com.