CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--U.S. Cellular announced today a $1.3 million national commitment to Boys & Girls Clubs of America and National 4-H Council. This commitment will boost the learning experience for youth and communities by championing K-12 and STEM educational programs. This is the second year U.S. Cellular is funding Boys & Girls Clubs and 4-H Clubs throughout the company’s markets with STEM activities for camps, and school and afterschool enrichment programs. This focused approach ensures the company is positively impacting the communities where associates work, live and play.
“U.S. Cellular’s ongoing commitment to Boys & Girls Clubs of America and National 4-H Council is a reflection of our dedication to big and small cities as well as rural communities we serve across the country,” says Deirdre Drake, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at U.S. Cellular. “As we enter our second year, we are excited to continue to work with these organizations to focus on STEM programming, as it is an important way to help youth develop relevant career and leadership skills.”
To celebrate and continue strengthening these relationships, U.S. Cellular associates are once again participating in National Volunteer Month in April with the company’s annual ‘Month of Giving’ program. Throughout the month, associates will complete various volunteer activities with local Boys & Girls Clubs such as Earth Day related activities and homework tutoring visits.
Associates will also participate in the first-ever ‘4K for 4-H’. Created to support National 4-H Council’s Grow True Leader’s campaign, this fun run/walk can be completed individually or with a group at any location throughout April. U.S. Cellular Customer Care Centers in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Knoxville, Tenn., Tulsa, Okla., and Waukesha, Wis., are also hosting ‘4K for 4-H’ race events. Participants are encouraged to share their photos via social media using the hashtag #4H4K. To learn more about the ‘4K for 4-H’, visit http://www.4-h.org/4h4k/.
After surpassing last year’s inaugural goal of 30,000 volunteer hours, U.S. Cellular announced a goal of 35,000 volunteer hours for 2016. By collaborating with local Boys & Girls Clubs and 4-H Clubs, U.S. Cellular associates will engage communities through ongoing volunteer opportunities including mentorship, career exploration and preparation and STEM-focused tutoring opportunities in April and throughout the year.
U.S. Cellular has a longstanding commitment to the community and education. The company has contributed more than $8.35 million to local educational programming since 2009.
For more information, visit uscellular.com/communityinvolvement.
About U.S. Cellular
U.S. Cellular is the fifth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier has a strong line-up of cutting-edge devices that are all backed by a high-quality network in big and small cities and rural communities, and currently, 99 percent of customers have access to 4G LTE speeds. U.S. Cellular was named a J.D. Power and Associates Customer Champion in 2014 for the third time in four years. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com. To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with U.S. Cellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.
ABOUT 4-H
4-H, the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization, cultivates confident kids who tackle the issues that matter most in their communities right now. In the United States, 4-H programs empower six million young people through the 109 land-grant universities and Cooperative Extension in more than 3,000 local offices serving every county and parish in the country. Outside the United States, independent, country-led 4-H organizations empower one million young people in more than 50 countries. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of the Cooperative Extension System and 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H or Twitter at https://twitter.com/4H.
