Consumer Cellular Announces Winners of Third Annual Grandparents Day Contest

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oregon-based Consumer Cellular, the number one rated cellphone service in the U.S. and the exclusive wireless provider for AARP members, has selected the winners of its third annual Grandparents Day contest. The two grand prize winners are Jolene Formaini of Kittanning, Pennsylvania for “Nonna, Nonno and the Moment of Truth” and Viola Hinkson of Marysville, Washington for “Summer Jobs at Grandma’s.”

“Nonna, Nonno and the Moment of Truth”

Formaini’s essay won the public vote and Hinkson’s video submission won the Consumer Cellular judges’ vote. Each grand prize winner will choose either a European river cruise for two, airfare included (up to a $10,000 value), or an Orlando vacation package for four, airfare included (up to a $10,000 value). Additional winners named in eight themed categories will receive a $200 hotel coupon. The AARP Travel Center powered by Expedia provided the two grand prizes and eight category prizes.

“On behalf of Consumer Cellular, we would like to congratulate Jolene, Viola and our eight category winners for their amazing entries,” said John Marick, CEO of Consumer Cellular. “We also want to thank all of the participants who helped make this year’s contest the best yet. We received over 2,600 entries from all 50 states and there were more than 120,000 votes cast this year. It’s apparent that we all are excited to celebrate the grandparent experience and share the value of family connections.”

The contest, which ran from July 1 through August 15, received more entries than last year, in half the amount of time. Participants from across the country were asked to submit their favorite grandparent-related stories online in the form of 500-word essays or three-minute videos. One of the grand prize winners was selected by public vote via the contest website, while the other grand prize winner was selected by a panel of judges from Consumer Cellular. The eight category prize winners were determined by a combination of public votes and Consumer Cellular judging.

Category prizes can be redeemed through the AARP Travel Center at www.expedia-aarp.com. The category winners are as follows:

Best Video: Chris Steeno, ‘Spelling Why We Love Grandparents’
Best Essay: Juliette Glasow, ‘A Grandparent Brings Beauty to the Soul’
Best Submission by a Grandparent: Pamela Casteel, ‘Closing the Generation Gap’
Best Submission by a Parent: Wendy Kennar, ‘5 Reasons Why I Wonder if My Son's Grandparents Are Really My Parents’
Best Submission by a Grandchild: Bonnie Wheeler, ‘Grandpa's Porch’
Best Travel-Related Story: Nancy Pickett, ‘How Memories are Made!’
Most Humorous Story: Veronica Gornik, ‘A Two Year Old’s Lullaby’
Best Cooking Story: Eunell Bisor, ‘Dining with Tyson’

To view the entries of the two grand prize winners and eight category winners, visit www.ConsumerCellular.com/grandparents.

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 boomers and seniors. 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 600 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. For cellphone tutorials, features, applications and company news, connect with Consumer Cellular on Facebook.com/consumercellular, Twitter.com/consumer_cell and YouTube.com/consumercellular.

About AARP® Travel Center powered by Expedia®

The AARP Travel Center was launched in 2008 and has saved AARP members over $14.5 million on travel as of May 2012.* The AARP Travel Center combines members-only discounts with exclusive travel deals from Expedia. Exclusive AARP member savings include discounts of up to 25% on select car rentals, additional onboard credits of up to $100 on select cruises, and 10% discounts at select AARP provider hotels. Also members enjoy everyday low rates at over 150,000 hotels worldwide and savings of up to $525 on vacation packages. For information visit the AARP Travel Center at www.expedia-aarp.com or call 1-800-675-4318.

* Member savings to date is based on actual AARP member savings from September 2008 through May 2012.

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