Phone cards for military personnel available through the United Methodist Endorsing Agency

PHONE CARD PROJECT


November of 2009 marked the sixth year that the phone card project has been in continuous operation. The program was sparked by one of our very own United Methodist Chaplains and the initial support was strengthened by the Illinois Greater River Conference of the UMC. I was a part of the process where we literally counted and sorted a table full of phone cards that had been provided by people of Illinois.

As the volunteer in charge of the project, I helped to develop a system to manage the program as efficiently as possible. We decided that it was important to thank each individual that donated either money and/or phone cards. This has been done faithfully except during a very brief period in the second year when donations were coming in at such a break neck speed that one volunteer couldn’t keep up.

During the second year, more and more people started sending money for us to purchase the cards instead of the cards. At this point in time Laura Flippen helped to develop a Methodist Logo Card which we continue to use today. We can order 5000 phone cards from our supplier at one time at a very good price. One 120 minute card costs $4.95. The Methodist Logo Card has a message on it stating that the card is provided by the people of the UMC and that they are praying for safety. We have placed 20 orders for 5000 cards. We have collected over $650,000.00.

Our process is simple: we collect the donations, order cards, and send them directly to our United Methodist Chaplains serving in the areas of conflict. Donations may be sent to:

United Methodist Endorsing Agency
PO Box 340007
Nashville, TN 37203

Currently approximately 40 chaplains hand the cards out to their service personnel in what ever fashion they determine is best. We remind them that the cards are intended to reach those in the most need. We receive stories and pictures of these cards reaching their intended recipients…for which they are so grateful.

Several times during the last six years, in the office we have said…”it looks like the program is ending since the donations are way down.” Inevitably, we take back our words, as the donations spurt ahead, and we purchase more cards. “It’s a God thing”. As of November 2009 the project has provided over 15.5 million minutes of phone card service to our service personnel who are putting their lives on the line for us. God bless them all!
A personal note: I am so very grateful for all those guys and gals who are serving our country. I am so very proud of our United Methodist chaplains who are ministering to these young people and I feel very privileged to be able to put these cards in their hands.

Judy W. Carter, Coordinator/Phone Card Project updated 11/18/09