Consumer Cellular Celebrates Extraordinary Grandparent Stories

On Grandparents Day, AARP’s Exclusive Wireless Provider Announces Top Five Finalists in 2nd Annual Grandparents Day Contest

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Consumer Cellular (www.consumercellular.com), a leading provider of wireless service and cellphones and the exclusive wireless provider for AARP members, has selected the top five finalists of its 2011 Grandparents Day contest.

The finalists, announced today on Grandparents Day, are Denise Kano, Lisa Larson, Reilly Simmons, Kathie Sucidlo, and Telesa Wadsworth. Each finalist will receive a $100 American Express gift card and are now in the running to be chosen as the contest’s grand prize winner.

Consumer Cellular launched the contest on June 1 and received more than 2,000 entries on its website at http://consumercellular.com/Grandparents. Entrants were asked to submit stories in the form of an essay or video that spoke of the grandparent experience from the point of view of a grandparent, parent or grandchild. The general public voted on the Top 100, and Consumer Cellular then selected 50 semi-finalists.

The top five finalists were chosen this week by Consumer Cellular. Following are their names, hometowns and links to their entries:

1. Denise Kano from Torrance, Calif., “It’s a Great Life if You Don’t Weaken”

2. Lisa Larson from Abbotsford, Wis., “I’m Just Beginning to Understand”

3. Reilly Simmons from Cincinnati, Ohio, “My Grandma, Mimi”

4. Kathie Sucidlo from Topsham, Maine, “Connections”

5. Telesa Wadsworth from Odon, Ind., “Heart Warming Love of a Grandchild”

Consumer Cellular will announce the grand prize, second and third place winners at Life@50+, AARP’s National Event and Expo in Los Angeles, Calif., taking place Sept. 22 through Sept. 24. The grand prize winner will receive a six-night Caribbean cruise for themselves and three loved ones provided by AARP^® Travel Center powered by Expedia^®. The second place winner will receive roundtrip coach class airfare for four to anywhere Delta or United Airlines fly in the continental U.S. The third place prize winner will receive a two night stay for four at any Marriott Property (limit $1,000 total).

“We are excited to host our second annual Grandparents Day contest,” said John Marick, Consumer Cellular CEO. “With more than 2,000 submissions and nearly 400,000 votes, it was a challenge to choose the top five finalists. But after viewing all the heartwarming entries, we feel our finalists’ entries embody all the aspects of an extraordinary grandparent story.”

About Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular is the exclusive wireless provider for AARP members and a top-rated carrier that provides no contract cellphones and service plans to those 50+. Founded in 1995 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 400 employees. The Portland, Ore.-based company utilizes the nation's largest voice and data network, covering more than 296 million people - or 97 percent of the U.S. population. Consumer Cellular’s cellphones and plans are sold nationwide at leading retailers such as Sears and RadioShack dealer franchise locations, as well as direct to consumers at www.consumercellular.com or 800-686-4460. The company has been ranked on the Inc. 5000 List for three years in a row. For cellphone tutorials, features, applications and company news, connect with Consumer Cellular on Facebook.com/consumercellular, Twitter.com/consumer_cell and YouTube.com/consumercellular.

CONTACT:

LANE PR
Melissa Moore, 503-546-7894
Melissa@lanepr.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Oregon

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Seniors  Technology  Telecommunications  Mobile/Wireless  Consumer

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