Cricket Wireless Awards Grants to Ten Chicago Heroes
Chicago-area activists get funding to launch or maintain key community service programs in their local neighborhoods
CHICAGO, March 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the inaugural Cricket Community Voices Grant program, Cricket Communications, Inc. has awarded 10 compassionate Chicagoland organizations with the funding and resources needed to help make a difference in their communities.
As a way of encouraging community service and promoting corporate responsibility, the Cricket Community Voices Grant program was created to give something back to Chicagoland neighborhoods that are most in need of help. Through the program, Cricket hopes to enable community activists and entrepreneurs to turn their great ideas into effective, ongoing programs.
Cricket created an advisory panel of veteran community leaders and activists that served as judges for the program. The panel reviewed more than 75 grant applications, and after hours of deliberation, 10 winners were selected based on the positive impact on their respective Chicagoland communities to receive over $19,000 (combined).
"Since our arrival in Chicago less than two years ago, Cricket has been offering Chicagoans a clear voice so they can stay connected with family and friends. We're proud to be giving them a voice to serve others in need," said Al King, Area Vice President for Cricket Communications in Chicago.
The grant winners serve a diverse range of Chicagoland communities:
- Because I Care Inc - Youth Mentoring and Computer Literacy Training – Austin
- Ravenswood Manor Improvement Association - Community Awareness Project – Ravenswood Manor
- Project VIDA - VIDA Wellness Center – Little Village
- Friends of Parks - Nature Along the Lake – City of Chicago
- Casa Aztlan - Technology Access in Pilsen – Pilsen
- The Strawberry Girls - Letters to Our President – Austin
- Latino Progressando - Teatro Americano Institute – City of Chicago
- Michael Trout – Good From the Hood Community Garden – Lawndale
- Essie Little Fold Daycare - Go Green – Austin
- A Special Wish Chicago - Watch-A-Wish Video Program– City of Chicago
"We are excited to have support from Cricket to create a community garden for the children and families of Lawndale," said Michael Trout, one of the grant recipients. "The Good From the Hood Garden is an opportunity for neighborhood families to enjoy a safe place to meet and play, while also learning about how to grow their own fruits and vegetables and the importance of fresh foods as part of a healthy diet."
For more information about the program and the next round of Cricket Community Voices Grant program, visit www.chicagocommunityvoices.com. To learn more about the Cricket community visit www.mycricket.com/community.
About Cricket®
Cricket is the pioneer of simple and affordable unlimited wireless services with no long-term commitments or credit checks required serving more than 5 million customers in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Cricket offers wireless voice and broadband Internet services over the latest technology, high-quality, all-digital 3G CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO wireless network. Cricket's nationwide wireless voice service plans include unlimited anytime minutes, unlimited U.S. long distance, unlimited text and picture messaging, unlimited text to Mexico, unlimited Mobile Web, unlimited directory assistance, as well as a variety of calling features and feature-rich mobile applications such as popular games, ringtones and wallpapers. Cricket Broadband provides unlimited Internet access anywhere within Cricket's coverage areas at speeds comparable to DSL. For more information on Cricket, visit www.mycricket.com. Cricket is offered by Leap Wireless International, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, Calif. For more information on Leap, visit www.leapwireless.com.
SOURCE Cricket Communications, Inc.
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