Brittany Bergquist

" Good morning it's magic skewed -- Terri welcome to a very special edition of exceptional women. Why because the person we are interviewing is by all definitions. Girl in her heart her wisdom her passion to do let's right. Make her older than her sixteen years she is Britney her -- who were well co -- with her younger brother Robbie of the nonprofit organization. Cell phones for soldiers. Check them out -- cell phones for soldiers dot com. Their mission is simple collects used cell phones and recycle them for cash to be used to by phone cards for American soldiers overseas. What an idea and she used her allowance and her piggy bank money to start cell phones for soldiers a couple of years ago her new drop off point funeral cellphone. Over 1000 AT&T locations nationwide. I first met -- about a year ago and I knew right away. She was the real thing on the fast -- even bigger accomplishments in the years that lead to her adulthood. Truth be told I had to -- to interview Britney. Because she didn't have a driver's license to come to the station for our interview and she's been busy since we recorded this interview. In October she accepted the national conference on citizenship young citizen of the year award. She was on the front page of USA today a couple of weeks ago and she was just on the view with Barbara Walters we -- TNT presented -- and -- With 100000. Dollar academic scholarships. She's been at West Point photo shoots for Teen People Magazine. And it Walter Reed hospital where she got a chance to meet our wounded soldiers -- list -- some parents and children. Gathered by the read you this morning and meet a local teenage hero who defines the meaning of the holiday season. 365. Days a year."

" She's affecting the lives of soldiers in Iraq Afghanistan. And around the world this sixteen year old has big dreams and peak heart. I want to meet Brittany Berkeley's. Welcome to magic 106 point seven."

" AT and so nice to have you here Brit thanks to be here tell me why you were inspired to create cell phones for soldiers well my brother -- nanny who's fifteen actually we -- getting ready for school 1 morning and the TV resigned as a ballet says. And -- sad story about a soldier who had an almost 8009 cell phone down. And this is back when they're twelve and thirteen years old it was the first time we never heard the soldiers had to pay for their own phone calls. And that really motivated just wanna try and make a difference when you first got started. This was really a family affair so pay me a picture of how -- you really got this going with your mom and dad helping out. Well it really still is a family affair it's mostly -- of five people in my family my sister and my brother and my two parents. He really sit around -- kitchen table and answer 18000. Take phone com ST -- things like that so it's really grassroots and I think that's what makes it's a special and makes people really -- data silence that is that it is regular Americans who are helping these soldiers it's not a huge company who may or may not respond -- if you need help with soldiers in our family who you wanna get a phone card too because we have thousands -- assets across the country where people -- few cellphones that lead and recycle and take that money to purchase contracts and send those troops. It's really our family who sits down and we make the labels he -- up the phone -- that's what makes it really special now did these phone -- go specifically to Iraq and Afghanistan -- do they -- around the world how does that -- he worked with the military we can't find -- any of the addresses of the soldiers from the government because it's -- safety hasn't -- actually have to be contacted -- loved -- of the families. So that they can let us know where their loved ones I -- and how many phone highs in May need. But we do send calling cards to everyone needs a phone card whether there and Barack Afghanistan our coasts of or anywhere. So anywhere there's conflict or anywhere that there's an American soldier in the world. If their family reaches out to you -- the soldier reaches ninety directly from you make sure they get a phone card exactly and be sent them to sailors and airmen and Marines anyone who's in the military it's not just specifically to soldier it's Britney you've got a brand new relationship with a great big company called AT&T tell me how that works. I ain't list trying to sign accompanied it would help out -- hopefully give us a little bit of corporate sponsorship just to. Give us a little action -- and I sentence he now to a random name that I pulled -- the AT&T web -- not really expecting any response because they're such a large company and received an email back almost immediately. Saying what can we do to help. And eighteen -- came on board a few months ago and they donated. 30000 kind cards. I opened up 1800 of that eighteen he stars to be drop off sites are cell phones for soldiers and are also really helping us to spread the word about our program. Does all of this field to have a little idea that turns into a big idea and is embraced by so many people it's actually amazing to see how many Americans have really caught on to sell bonds are soldiers and really care about our program and really wanna help out and support the troops it this is a really good feeling it gives us a feeling of belonging a reason for really being here. That fact that Robbie and I have both been able to leave her mark on the world sell young. Is incredible that's always been my dream since I was really a little girl is set as they do something to make a difference to really let people know who I am and what I love to do and that's helping other people. And I think this is really an elated at -- able to do that."

" She's sixteen years old her name is Brittany Berkeley as she comes from nor well Massachusetts and she is. The youngest woman ever profiled on this program will you've been featured in People Magazine and on major news programs like the one with Katie Couric did get nervous -- what happens when you get asked to do these big interviews are posed for these pictures."

" I didn't really narrow miss any time that I'm going on TV are I have a radio interview I -- shake really bad and I get butterflies ally itself. I tried to avoid kospi hit the floor and because I -- that's not the laws but. In reality afterwards I was -- everybody glad that anybody who's interviewed BS made me feel really comfortable and really at home in their studios are anywhere. It's gotten to the point where it's almost relaxing to be able to sit down and actually top one on one with someone you could be hanging out with your girlfriends you could be going on a day with a cute boy if that's why do you do this spring. I did this because it makes me feel good about myself. Say giving to other people. I get back a lot more than I -- whether it's helping someone who's on the side of the road asking for money every time that we -- past someone. We give them all the changes in our pockets -- If there's someone in school who's having trouble opening their locker. Well how that Robbie I well because that's been instilled in us that's what their parents -- and very young age. This is really are calling this of what we're supposed to do and that's why we love doing this it's probably more funding going to the movies France you talked a little bit about your parents is clear golden ruling your accounts the golden rule I think is put what's important first. And -- treat each other the way that we wanna be treated me runs cell phones for soldiers and help other people because. If we're ever in a situation where we needed help. We would. Really hope that someone would reach out and wanna help us as well I think that's really important for a lot of young people to -- is that they can make a difference if they just do a little thing like -- and Gerald cellphone what is it that drives you in this -- what really drives me and also rowdy and everyone in my family is that even ask that you received back from the soldiers saying thank you for sending the phone cards and letting us know a little bit of the background of their families and how much they're able to help and by allowing them to call home to their loved ones. They tell us about how they've never seen their newborn children and they're able to speak to their wives back home more. They've been able to speak to their husbands their children both rowdy and I never really experienced being away from home far more then maybe five days and after those five days. We -- cry and we -- families and we couldn't imagine being away from home for. A year or more so to be able to really allow them to call home is the best thing have --"

" Her name is Brittany -- waste she's in the spotlight this morning on exceptional women and only sixteen years old she and her younger brother Robbie. Are the co founders of an organization called cell phones for soldiers to find out more Disco to cell phones for soldiers. Dot com this is magic ski Indio Terry you're leading a very exciting life you have been to the White House tell us what that was like and did the president speak to you."

" He did speak to me I was actually in a group of about fifteen people who -- doing amazing things to support the troops. And to be able to -- the White House that's always been my dream. He says that as a little girl I was told my parents I'm gonna be the president someday I'm going to be important Sunday to -- into the Oval Office we sat on the long -- couches and I -- lady sitting next to me and President Bush was to people over from me it was the most amazing experience ever what do you hope to change when it's your turn. I hope that I'll be able to change the way that people really looking at each other and the way that people help out each other I want to be able to show people that it's not important. What he think about a certain person just by looking at them more whether you. Really support what they're fighting for because our soldiers -- overseas and that fighting in the war. I know that not everybody supports the -- but it's really not a situation of what the support the war or not it really should be that. Defending our freedom and making sure -- back home -- What do you think young people need in order to be successful in this world. I think they young people really just have to realize that they do have a lot of power incited them a lot of the time. We hear about how teenagers. Are lazy and we don't do any thing and Harold call me really do is think about ourselves but in reality. There's so many teenagers out there who are running nonprofit organizations he met so many through selfless for soldiers at award ceremonies and things like that. This really incredible I mean I never heard of these kids from across the country who are doing amazing things and I think that a lot of the time we really need to spotlight a lot more young people. Because that shows other young people that they can make a difference who is your role model my role model is definitely my parents both of them there amazing people there -- sell -- both teachers. They've always been my role models because there incredible people. And just a way to aid raised it's and taught us that. We need to do something important and give back has really made them to be -- models."

" A couple of questions have gonna ask you we ask of women who are sitting right where you wired and done I know the chair of our youngest but I have a feeling he'll be able to answer these questions. When an obstacle is in your -- How do you get around it."

" When I face an obstacle I really try to look at every angle of it and try to see what I can do to overcome that obstacle I don't. Athletic really keep me down because I know that there are going to be a lot of obstacles in -- tight turnaround in our run away from one is saying then. But am I gonna do when I come to an excellent and I just gonna run away I never get anything accomplished. If I didn't face anything as a young girl. What is your greatest strength the power of speaking my mind and being able to speak out about what I felt strongly about. I love to debate things and let people really know how I feel the power of speaking the power of being able to stand up for other people. What do you think he's your greatest weakness that you know you need to work on and you grew older I think my greatest weakness led probably have to be. How much I really care about people so quickly I mean. It's not really too much of a weak dance because it is important to really care about everyone and really -- that they -- care. What you do for a man. But sometimes you come across a situation where someone -- wanna be helped and someone doesn't want to communicate with you all. I think that's difficult I think I have to really learn not to get upset when someone doesn't really want have help from me you just ten."

" A chance by invitation only to attend something called women to women and Lesley College this was a leadership summit for young girls and young boys. -- accomplishing great things and I know you had descended an application in it was a whole week of great lectures in people cooler role models for you. Including. Reverend Gloria white Hammond who has been on our program as well. Did you learn over the course of that week what did you take away from Matt."

" Accent camp there where young women from all across the world. And mostly found. Near and Middle East wheat kernel -- from women who wear fresh -- fields and that challenges that they overcame and other it was extremely interesting and we learned so much from them but I think probably learned the most was from each other. Because we really broke down cultural barriers and built bridges of communication. As young woman in America. We don't hear too much about that teenagers that -- and countries like Azerbaijan are Kuwait my best friends now. I've from left brain and Kuwait and Israel and Palestine and it was really interesting. We've really learned a lot from each other just by being able to talk about our own lives and -- exactly like got a cell that was the most interesting part of that camp what do you think woman power used the power to realize that. We don't have to be limited in what we do we have. The power inside of us to be very passionate about anything that comes our way and that we feel very strongly about I think that passion really translates into how much we can do for others and to push our -- forward to women who are in power now are trying to convey down two teenage days. They don't have to be limited -- don't have to worry about well I'm going up against a man. Who has the same qualifications as me and does this in -- such as me at an -- I'll be able to do that. Women really have to realize that we do have the power to make a difference."

" This is medics can DO Terry and she is Britney -- Quist and only sixteen years old. You started this organization with 21 dollars money that you had from snack money and your piggy bank money. And where are you now with cell phones for soldiers and how many years has again."

" It's then a little over three years we started mentioning it on April 12 of 2004. And today we have raised over one point two million dollars and sent over -- 100000 calling cards to our troops what's the future cell phones for soldiers. I don't really see and for our program there's always gonna be someone. Whether it's on a peacekeeping mission or in training -- I was going to be someone in the military -- away from their loved ones and can't call home. So I think it's really important for us to keep this program going we are really hoping that we'll be able to reach our goal of 750000. Dollars a month so that we played be able to provide every military men and woman who's sending away from home. With a new phone card every month."

" Tell people how they can become involved in cell phones for soldiers whether they want to volunteer. Whether they wanna donate some cash do you. Well whether they have a cellphone I wanna donate. Well I website as cell phones for soldiers dot com if he wanted to become a drop assay for cell phones for soldiers it's very simple all you really have to do. And it's set up a box in front of your offense are anywhere where you believed that it'd be very easy for people to drop off their old cellphones. I have to do is set up -- box we have principal flyers we have press releases even send out yourself we try to make it as simple as possible if you don't have a chance to become a drop off site you can also. Tony -- cellphone we have thousands of -- assets across the country. And if you'd just latitude stop by and -- the cellphone now be perfectly fine. You have this wonderful relationship now with AT&T. How does it feel to have been able to accomplish you goal like that this isn't huge corporate sponsor I know there are some. People out there in marketing who are saying she's only 1600 she do then. It's amazing we are now working with eighteen -- because there's such a huge companies that -- of the oldest companies and to be able to actually. Tax the corporate executives and to really make them feel like our program has a really important program to support the troops spend. Our dream far summons for soldiers far -- three years. It's to really work with HTT and make it so that it's a lot easier for us to get the calling cards for the troops for us to be Ellis who actually accomplish cycle. Motivates us to wanna keep going. And makes us feel like we can accomplish something what do you think you wanna do with your life I definitely want to continue cell phones for soldiers I think it's very important and it's my favorite thing to do now. And I feel really passionate about it -- feeling can be a really good thing for me continue but I also want to going to broadcasting what -- he. Radio or television just to really make sure that. People know about what's going on in the world so -- you tell everybody about what you and I arrogant and I am going to help outlet exceptional men and hopefully be able to do some a lot of research and find -- and by the shell and I know that there are a lot of the very exceptional women out there so I'm definitely crossing my fingers that I'll be able to meet some new role models and some really amazing people."

" We're honored to have you and I'm honored to mentor you and I'll close by asking you at the end of the day Britney what's most important team."

" When I. Leaned my head down on the pillow I feel like I did everything that I could that day I feel that any time and that obstacle came across my -- actually he handled it in the right way that I helped all the people that I could've -- and that if I feel that way to see a little bit of peace of mind and I know that I can sleep well that night everything that I've experienced a -- for anything."

" I know you're gonna help me find other exceptional women in the Boston area and across the country. To be featured on the show absolutely congratulations and thank him and joining us she's not a woman yet. On on her way to clearing -- path for the next generation. Maybe Britney -- crystal give us all a new definition of woman power. We'll have to see britney's mother -- sent me a little note to thank me for agreeing to mentor her daughter. And she attached to paper -- just wrote for her eight. And here's what Britney wrote. Success is a process. Not a destination. Every person on this earth has been -- here for a reason. And serves a purpose and everyone should make it part of their purpose to serve others in the words of sir Winston Churchill."

" You make a living by what cheap -- and make life. By what she did. Why he's beyond her years that's pretty request whose son just happens to find that kind of philosophy she asked me play for her on the show. I hope you dance -- and world. On magic one of six point seven. Yeah. Keep that. -- In the day. Yeah. I need this. Pretty. -- From this mean. And when you. Clinton six point seven with -- wound. There's uncle -- We'll play it for sixteen year old reliever -- well the youngest person we've ever featured on this program and the co founder."

" A cell phones for soldiers please support her organization. Just go to cell phones for soldiers dot com. This is magic -- EO Terry please join my radio partner gave Vernon in meet every Sunday morning at this time for another edition of exceptional women radio portraits of women who will inspire you."