Two Northwoods nonprofits receive Green Gifts from Cellcom

Cellcom has selected two Northwoods nonprofits to receive a share of its annual Green Gifts, which invests money from recycled cell phones back into environmental projects. Awardees include Wild Instincts of Rhinelander and Trees For Tomorrow of Eagle River.

Wild Instincts was established to provide quality, ethical and professional rehabilitation to all Wisconsin-native wildlife and is the only facility in the state legally permitted to treat every species. With a mission to provide environmental education programs promoting community wildlife stewardship, the nonprofit is working to create more opportunities in the coming years for visitors of all ages. A $500 Green Gift from Cellcom will help support the creation of a bridge to connect a trail system with limited habitat disruption and open the area to the public.

As a nonprofit educational center, Trees For Tomorrow promotes sustainable use of our natural resources with transformative educational experiences that engage youth of all ages. A $500 Green Gift from Cellcom will help fund their Science Earth Explorations for Kids (SEEK) program, an environmental education program for grade-school children during the summer months. SEEK helps contribute to the well-being and development of youth, ensuring a healthier, more environmentally conscious future. Program registration opens mid-March 2025 at treesfortomorrow.com.

Thirty-one organizations received a share of the $20,984 in Green Gifts from Cellcom this year. The Green Gifts program uses funds generated from Cellcom’s cell phone recycling program to fund green nonprofit initiatives. Customers and community members are encouraged to bring in their old or unwanted phones to be reused and recycled. Cellcom ships the phones to recyclers who send money to Cellcom for the materials saved from them. Cellcom’s Green Gift program completes the green cycle that starts with consumers being environmentally conscious and donating their devices.

“Cellcom is focused on protecting the local environment and to investing in projects that give back to the communities where we live, work and play. From preserving and enhancing natural areas to providing research and educational programming, this year’s Green Gift recipients are leading the way for environmental causes locally,” said Mick O’Malley, director of sustainability at Cellcom. “We’re proud to support the many nonprofits throughout our service area that are not only working to conserve the local environment but also providing learning opportunities so people can help protect and enjoy the place we call home.”