A young woman came through my lane today. She was buying phone cards so she could call her boyfriend who is currently serving in Iraq.
She was only buying two of them, because they were expensive. I have never seen someone as happy as she was when I rung up the cards, and found out that they were part of the buy one, get one free sale. The look on her face, when she realized that she could buy more of them, was something I will never forget. She practically skipped all the way back to the rack where the cards were, and picked up 4 more of them.
She had a big grin and kept saying how happy she was that she will get to talk to him more now. Then she did something I wasn’t expecting, she thanked me for helping her. It was like I was the reason the cards were on sale.
As I put the cards in a bag, and handed her the receipt, I said “I hope he stays safe and comes home very soon.” She had tears in her eyes and a big smile as she said “Thank you, for everything.”
Experiences like this are why I love working at Best Buy. It’s amazing how you can make a difference in someone’s life just doing what you normally do everyday.
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It’s these kind of experiences that make me want to do something to help. Here are a few organizations that work to make sure soldiers and their families have phone cards so they can keep in touch.
USO Operation Phone Home
Military Exchange Phone Cards (has links to many other sites, too)
US Department of Defense
Soldier’s Angels
There are many more places to donate, just use the power of Google to find them. 
Posted on January 23rd, 2008 by Lizzie
Filed under: Uncategorized
Awwww, Lizzie, that’s so sweet! What a wonderful story. I think buying phone cards for the troops is ‘way better than a ribbon on a tree or a bumper sticker on your care; it’s something the troops can use and know that someone back in the States is thinking of them, missing them, loving them. What a wonderful idea. *Scurries off to buy some of the cards*
you made me cry :(…
That’s so awesome. There used to be a bunch of websites that gave out 10 minute cards for free… I can’t remember it now, but i used it a lot when my wife was out of Town. Might have to re-look into sending a few of those to some of the soldiers.
Awwww. That is so sweet.