LOUISIANA, Mo. — As students come back to in-person classes and learning, athletic teams, afterschool STEM programs and organizations are looking for ways to continue their respective programming. The pandemic derailed many in-person activities in 2020, forcing some groups to find alternative means to secure the funding and support they need for the upcoming school year.
Funding for these activities is usually supplemented through in-person opportunities, such as selling candy bars or washing cars, but with COVID-19 cases rising in some parts of the country, socially distant fundraising options are becoming more practical and safe solutions. UScellular’s Community Connections program provides a virtual way for K-12 groups to raise up to $1,000, whether they need STEM equipment, fresh uniforms or new instruments for the school band. Organizers can register their group at communityconnections.uscellular.com to start earning sponsorship support online.
“2020 was a tough year for everyone, especially many academic and athletic groups and organizations who rely on fundraising and donations,” said Joe Cabrera, director of retail sales and operations for UScellular in Missouri and Kansas. “We hope that through local and virtual initiatives like Community Connections, we’re able to still support the goals our children and students set for themselves while doing so in a safe and responsible manner.”
Once registered, local non-profit academic and athletic groups representing youth up to 12th grade have 14 days to rally their friends, families and supporters to complete online activities that include taking short surveys, watching videos or following UScellular on its social channels. Each completed activity earns money that goes directly to the organization – up to $1,000 – and the website makes it easy to spread the word on social media.
Since launching the program in 2015, UScellular has awarded $1.4 million to nearly 3,100 groups nationwide. For more information and to view the official rules, please go to communityconnections.uscellular.com.
About UScellular
UScellular is the fourth-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 is building a stronger network with the latest 5G technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with UScellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.