U.S. Cellular is again inviting communities to rally around their favorite school to share $1 million. Ten schools across the country with the most votes will each win $100,000 to use in any way they want in the company’s Calling All Communities campaign.
Between now and Jan. 15, anyone 18 or older can visit any U.S. Cellular store to receive a code to vote online for their favorite school. Schools K-12 of all sizes — public, private, urban and rural — have a chance to become a Calling All Communities champion. The U.S. Cellular dealer in Houston is Infinite Entertainment on North U.S. 63.
The campaign returns at a time when school districts across the country are feeling a greater budget pinch in a slowing economy. According to the American Association of School Administrators, the percentage of schools cutting extracurricular activities almost tripled from 10 percent in 2008-2009 to 28 percent for the 2009-2010 school year.
The State of Missouri announced in late October that as part of the effort to balance its budget, it would be cutting funding for elementary and secondary education by almost $20 million, representing a drop of 7.7 percent in appropriated funding.
Last year’s top 10 schools used their winnings in a variety of ways, including rebuilding a storm-damaged gymnasium, upgrading computer labs, building new playgrounds and creating scholarship programs.
Last year, U.S. Cellular shifted its giving strategy to helping schools. The company will give more than $5 million to support schools and teachers in 2009 and 2010 through Calling All Communities and Calling All Teachers, which awards $1 million to teachers across the country to fund classroom projects.
“We’re eager to see the creativity of our local schools as they unite to gather community support,” said Nathan Waddell, director of sales for Missouri. “We expect Missouri schools to run strong, competitive campaigns.”
Visit uscellular.com/callingallcommunities for official rules or to view videos from last year’s campaign.