Garden City Police Commissioner Ernest J. Cipullo announces that the Department had just recently delivered more than 70 cell phones plus additional accessories to the "Cell Phones For Soldiers Program." These cell phones were generously donated by village residents and civic groups so that they can be of use to persons of need. Under the "Cell Phones For Soldiers Program" donated cell phones are sent to a company that then provides prepaid calling cards for soldiers overseas so that they may contact their families and loved ones. The "Cell Phones For Soldiers Program" is a non profit organization that was founded by two teenagers in Massachusetts. Since its inception, this program has raised more than $1 million in donations and has distributed over 400,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers.

Commissioner Cipullo started the Garden City Police Department's Cell Phone Program in 2002 and since that time hundreds of phones have been collected from the community that in addition to U.S. Soldiers, have been used to assist victims of domestic violence, persons with disabilities and senior citizens. Commissioner Cipullo states, "Any person or group who wishes to help these worthy causes may do so by dropping off their old cell phones and accessories to the Garden City Police Department".