May 3, 2010

Senior hockey defenseman Barry Goers (Ivyland, PA) and UMass Lowell Athletics have announced a final tally of 412 cell phones and $225 have been donated to the Cell Phones for Soldiers program. The phones were collected as apart of a season-long effort to help troops overseas.

"I was extremely pleased with the turnout we've had for the Cell Phones for Soldiers program," said Goers. "I originally had a goal of 200 phones and to see our final count of 412, I'm amazed really."

"It just goes to show that when you asked for people to help out and participate, they're really willing to make a difference."

The initiative, launched by Goers and the Athletic Department on Dec. 5, 2009, featured Cell Phones for Soldiers drop boxes placed at the Tsongas Center and around the UMass Lowell campus. In addition, autographed camouflage River Hawk hockey jerseys were auctioned off with proceeds benefiting the charity.

"I just want to say thank you to the community, the school and the Athletic Department for participating in the project because I think it was a great success," Goers added.

The donated phones will be sold with proceeds used to purchase calling cards for troops overseas. Each phone provides troops abroad with an hour of talk time.

For more information on the program, please visit www.CellPhonesForSoldiers.com(.)