broken cell phone how to get images & other

I read Matts blog regarding this problem, and need some help with this.   My "Venus" phone recently broke, coming completely off slider.  I just took my new phone into a Verizon store to get my contacts transfered.  I wanted to also get other things out of the phone, especially my photos & videos that I hadnt transferred yet to the picture place.  I have text messages that I had saved & also want.  They transferred my contacts since the phone still powers up, but since the viewing panel doesnt work, I could not get my info out of the phone.  They may be right but I cant help but think since these things are stored in the phones memory & it still powers up, there must be a way to get these transferred to load into my PC.  The images & videos are really sentimental to me, & include 2  of my family members who passed away this last year.  I dont want to lose them forever.  Any suggestions? Thank you