Schools in a Race for Votes as Calling All Communities Campaign Approaches Final Days Tweet

CHICAGO – U.S. Cellular officials say voting surges in its Calling All Communities campaign are making the final results even harder to predict. As the contest enters its final week, schools across the nation are racing for votes to win a share of $1 million. Partnerships between schools and their communities are producing record-breaking voter participation. More than 170,000 votes have been cast for 6,000-plus schools.

Earlier this week, 12,000 votes were cast in a single day, shattering the previous record of 10,000 the day before. Some schools have earned more than 1,000 votes in just one week. Others soared into the Top 20 and even the Top 10 for the first time, setting the stage for potential upsets among long-time frontrunners.

"Schools are putting in extraordinary efforts to get votes in these last days," said Jeff Childs, senior vice president and chief human resources officer for U.S. Cellular. "Across our markets, schools are doing parades, pep rallies and all kinds of creative activities to earn a spot at the top."

All of the excitement is drawing national media attention. Last week, a segment on the campaign aired on CNN en Espanol reaching close to 23 million viewers. One lucky school will be featured on the popular morning show "The Balancing Act," airing on Lifetime TV. The show will be onsite with their cameras to capture the celebration as students and teachers learn that their hard work paid off.

"We can’t wait to hit the road in February and meet the 10 schools that will rise above thousands of others to win," said Childs. "The last-minute flood of votes shows that schools are pouring their hearts and souls into this campaign to keep the momentum going until the end."

Voting ends January 15, 2010. The 10 schools with the most votes will win $100,000 each to use however they choose. Winners will be announced in February when the 2010 Calling All Communities champions are revealed.

Anyone 18 or older can visit any U.S. Cellular store to pick up a voting code to use online. Only one vote is counted per person and each code is valid once. Schools of all sizes, public, private, urban and rural, K- 12 are eligible. No purchase is necessary to vote. See official rules at uscellular.com/callingallcommunities.

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