St. Johns County Tax Collector's office helps military families connect with loved ones

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — The St. Johns County Tax Collector’s office is working with a non-profit called Cellphones for Soldiers.

It’s a program where you can drop your cellphone or other electronics items off, and it helps those fighting for our freedom.

For those serving overseas it can be expensive to make calls to their loved ones, but this program allows them to talk for free.

“What they do is recycle phones' charges, accessories, tablets they wipe them to see if they’re repairable and the proceeds they get from recycling them goes towards purchasing minutes,” said Public Affairs Administrator Patsy Heiss.

Heiss' office says the nonprofit cellphones for soldiers started in 2004, and they’ve been partnering with them for years.

“One donation of about $5 equates to about 2 1/2  hours of talk time,” said Heiss.

But that’s not the only thing the tax collector’s office is doing.  They’ve also partnered with the American Legion Post 37 to collect worn flags, to get a proper disposal … so they aren’t thrown in the trash.

“We have a ceremony where they’re inspected, a prayer is said, and then its taken to an urn where its burned and after its burned a prayer is said,” said American Legion Post 37 member Jeff Gamel.

Heiss says it’s all a part of honoring those who serve our country every day.

There will be drop-off locations at all the tax collectors' offices across the county.

Trending on ActionNewsJax.com:

• South Florida officers find 2 alligators eating human body
• SJCSO: Woman with Xanax 'plays mermaid,' enters Vilano Beach homes
• Shocking road-rage video shows Florida driver slam into motorcycle
• Couple accused of beating up veteran at American Legion Post
• Snapchat video shows bunny thrown around room, 3 teen girls charged

Cox Media Group