Local Student Honored For Helping Troops

Richie Marine, a student in the Half Hollow Hills School District, was recently honored for his work with Suffolk Legis. Steve Stern’s office organizing a marathon cell phone drive for the not-for-profit “Cell Phones for Soldiers.”

“Cell Phones for Soldiers” collects gently used cell phones and recycles them in exchange for a calling card that is sent to troops, enabling soldiers to communicate with their loved ones free of cost.

Richie organized a group of more than a dozen volunteers stationed at three Stop and Shop locations to collect cell phones for this worthy cause. Due to his efforts Stern’s office was able to collect more than 150 cell phones that will help soldiers serving abroad communicate with family and friends at home.

“I could not be prouder of Richie’s hard work and dedication, along with the many volunteers he organized, is what community is all about,” Stern said. “I am pleased to see our young people so passionate in their efforts to give back to our troops.”