Consumer Cellular Commemorates Three Millionth Customer by Gifting Three Million Dollars


Top-rated wireless carrier celebrates three millionth customer by splitting three million dollars among employees and three charities

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Consumer Cellular, the wireless provider ranked “Highest in Customer Service among Non-Contract Wireless Providers, Five Times in a Row” by J.D. Power, is celebrating its three millionth customer by giving away $3 million to its employees and three charities. The company’s 1,850 employees will share $1.5 million and three charities, including Meals on Wheels America, Providence Cancer Institute and Shriners Hospitals for Children will each receive $500,000. The three charities were chosen and voted on by Consumer Cellular employees.

“If you know us at all, you know that we love to celebrate a big milestone,” said John Marick, CEO of Consumer Cellular. “While all of our milestones have been important, we are especially excited about our three millionth customer. Our continued growth is a direct reflection of our amazing employees who helped us get to this point and who do such a good job serving our customers every day. We are thrilled to reward the 1,850 of them with their share of $1.5 million and to be able to make donations to the three outstanding charities that they selected.”

“We are abundantly grateful to Consumer Cellular employees for this incredible act of generosity and kindness,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. “In celebrating such a remarkable milestone with this gift, Consumer Cellular is helping homebound seniors nationwide receive the daily nutrition and friendly visits they need to live with independence and dignity. What a noble way to leverage their success to benefit others.”

“We are grateful to all at Consumer Cellular for supporting our work at Providence Cancer Institute,” said Walter J. Urba, M.D., Ph.D., director of Earle A. Chiles Research Institute and Robert W. Franz Cancer Center. “Our focus on immunotherapy research – the ability of the body to heal itself – is making a significant difference in the lives of many touched by cancer. We are able to push new boundaries in our research and clinical trials due to the support of Consumer Cellular and its employees.”

“Our deepest appreciation to the Consumer Cellular employees for selecting Shriners Hospitals for Children as one of the beneficiaries in recognition of the three millionth customer,” said Lisa Gray, Senior Regional Director, Planned and Major Giving, Shriners Hospitals for Children.

“The expert pediatric care that Shriners Hospitals provides to more than 122,000 children annually is only possible because of generous donors like Consumer Cellular. Their support of Shriners Hospitals for Children's mission brings hope and healing to children regardless of the family's ability to pay.”

Consumer Cellular has a long-standing tradition of celebrating its company milestones with the community, its employees and customers. In 2017, in recognition of their 2.5 millionth customer, Consumer Cellular donated 2.5 million meals to Feeding America. In 2015, the company donated two million dollars to the Knight Cancer Challenge in recognition of its two millionth customer. In commemoration of its 1.5 millionth customer, Consumer Cellular asked its employees to select three national charities who each received $150,000. Those charities included the American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Wounded Warrior Project.

About Consumer Cellular
Consumer Cellular is a top-rated wireless carrier that provides no-contract cellphones and service plans primarily to those 50+. The company has been an approved AARP Provider for over 10 years and offers AARP members special discounts on service. Founded 23 years ago on the belief that everyone should have affordable access to the safety and convenience of cellular service, Consumer Cellular is privately held with more than 1,850 employees. The Portland, Ore.-based company utilizes the nation's largest voice and data networks, which covers more than 300 million people – or 99 percent of the U.S. population. Consumer Cellular's wireless phones and plans are sold nationwide at leading retailers such as Target, as well as direct to consumers at ConsumerCellular.com or (888) 345-5509. The company has been ranked on the Inc. 5000 list for 10 years in a row. Consumer Cellular received the highest number among four non-contract value providers in the J.D. Power 2016 V2 - 2018 V2 U.S. Wireless Customer Care Performance Study of customers’ satisfaction with their wireless customer care experience. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com/awards. For cellphone tutorials, features, applications and company news, connect with Consumer Cellular on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google+.

About Meals on Wheels America
Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger. This network serves virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million staff and volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership, education, research and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

About Providence Cancer Institute
Robert W. Franz Cancer Center, a part of Providence Health & Services, offers the latest in cancer services, including diagnostic, treatment, prevention, education, support and internationally renowned research. The Earle A. Chiles Research Institute at Providence Cancer Institute is one of 15 research institutions selected to form the Bristol Myers Squibb International Immuno-Oncology Network. This global collaboration will focus on helping the body’s own immune system fight cancer and bring more clinical trials to more patients in our community than ever before. Visit  www.providenceoregon.org/cancer.

About Shriners Hospital for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children improves the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, conducting innovative research, and offering outstanding educational programs for medical professionals.  Children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care, regardless of the families’ ability to pay, and receive all care and services in a compassionate, family-centered environment. www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org

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Angie Galimanis
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