U.S. Cellular Gives Teachers a Boost in the Classroom Through 'Calling All Teachers' Campaign

CHICAGO, Nov. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 1,750 teachers across the country received the exciting news from U.S. Cellular that their classroom projects had been funded through the company's Calling All Teachers campaign. For a second year, the wireless carrier partnered with philanthropic website DonorsChoose.org to fund $1 million in creative and impactful classroom projects submitted by public school teachers. The donation will benefit more than 160,000 students nationwide.

"Teachers continue to forge ahead working hard to educate our children," said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL). "Support and concern from the business community makes a significant difference as schools focus on ensuring the success of every child."

U.S. Cellular's giving strategy is focused on education and the pressing needs of schools. Lack of funding has caused many of them to eliminate critical programs and operate with limited supplies. Calling All Teachers is one of the initiatives the phone company developed to offer schools help with these financial challenges.

"Our children deserve the best resources as they pursue their education," said U.S. Cellular President and CEO Mary N. Dillon. "We recognize how important teachers are in helping children reach their full potential, and we're happy to support them as they commit themselves to youth, day in and day out."

Teachers across the country posted classroom projects that ranged from the basic to the technically advanced. Some asked for novels, bookshelves and calculators, while others requested LCD projectors, digital cameras and a TI Navigator System.

"U.S. Cellular's continued support of education is definitely making an impact in schools across the nation," said Charles Best, founder and CEO of DonorsChoose.org. "The company's donations from both last year and this year allow teachers to do more in the classroom, and our children reap the benefits."

U.S. Cellular made the commitment to invest millions in education during 2009-10 through its Calling All Communities and Calling All Teachers campaigns.

Recently, the company introduced The Belief Project to address common frustrations consumers have with the wireless industry. This initiative also complements U.S. Cellular's growing catalog of cutting-edge phones, all backed by its nationwide 3G network. To learn more about the company's support of education and The Belief Project, visit uscellular.com or check us out on Facebook.

About The Belief Project

Launched Oct. 1, 2010, The Belief Project is a game changing, first-of-its-kind way of doing business in wireless that recognizes customer loyalty with freedom from continuous contracts and valuable rewards for customers including faster phone upgrades at promotional prices, accessories and companion lines, all on bundled national rate plans.

With "no contract after the first," new customers fulfill an initial two-year commitment and never have to sign another contract again. Existing customers who switch to the new Belief Plans can simply finish the remainder of their current term without extending their current contract.  

As soon as a customer signs up for one of the new Belief Plans, they automatically begin earning Belief Points simply for being a customer. Points can be redeemed for things people actually want such as faster phone upgrades in as little as 10 to 11 months depending on their plans, additional lines, phones, accessories and ringtones.

The Belief Project also includes the industry's only phone replacement program that allows customers to bring in their accidentally broken or malfunctioning phone and get a replacement of the same or a similar model. If a customer's phone is lost or stolen, they can receive the same or similar replacement phone for $100. Customers also can save up to 5 percent on their monthly plans for setting up autopay and paperless billing.

These industry-leading initiatives were developed to address consumers' common frustrations with wireless, elevate the customer experience and create a human relationship, not a contractual one. For more information about The Belief Project, visit uscellular.com.

SOURCE U.S. Cellular