Deloitte Device Day returned to the Capitol Rotunda this week. Lawmakers, state employees and community members came together to donate used electronic devices in support of active-duty service members and veterans.
Hosted in collaboration with Cell Phones for Soldiers and the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA), the annual event encourages participants to donate cellphones, tablets and accessories, whether they are working or broken. The organization then refurbishes or responsibly recycles the devices. Proceeds from those devices help fund free phones and up to a year of talk and text for service members and veterans.
Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded in 2004 to address the high cost of communication faced by deployed service members. Today, the organization has provided more than 450 million minutes of free talk time and recycled millions of devices nationwide, using the proceeds to keep military families connected during deployments and as veterans transition back to civilian life.
Throughout the day, legislators, staffers, agency employees and visitors to the Capitol stopped by the collection site, dropping devices into bins while learning more about how donated electronics are repurposed.
“As someone who has worn the uniform and served overseas, I know firsthand how vital a simple phone call or text can be for a service member’s morale and for a family waiting at home,” said Rep. John Snyder, a Marine Corps veteran who deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. “Events like Deloitte Device Day help make that connection possible.”
Organizers said the event’s visibility in the rotunda helped spark conversations about service, sacrifice and the often-overlooked challenges veterans face once they return home.
“This is about taking something we have kept in a drawer and instead turning it into something meaningful for someone else,” said David Friedman, a principal with Deloitte Consulting.
“The impact is simple but powerful. We’re proud to do our part to help people stay connected to the voices that matter most, in the moments that matter most. This year, I am donating my dad’s old iPhone. He was a Holocaust survivor who loved our troops and told stories of how our soldiers nurtured him back to health after the war. I hope his phone brings someone joy.”
For FDVA officials, the event supports ongoing efforts to help veterans beyond traditional benefits.
“It is fitting during Military and Veterans Days at the Capitol to highlight a successful initiative that connects our transitioning military members and Veterans with needed services and support,” said Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs Executive Director James S. Hartsell.
“Deloitte Device Day supports a path to provide cell phones and associated services to keep our Veterans connected to family, friends and employment opportunities, and help improve their quality of life.”
As the second annual Device Day ended, partners expressed interest in continuing and expanding the initiative in future years.
For Cell Phones for Soldiers, the return to Tallahassee is a reminder that small acts of generosity can scale into meaningful support.
“When communities come together like this, it reinforces why our mission still matters,” said Rob Bergquist, the organization’s founder. “Every device donated helps ensure that service members don’t have to choose between serving their country and staying connected to the people they love.”