Consolidated Communications : Awards $35,000 in Grants to Schools in Illinois

Representatives from 19 school districts and education foundations in east central Illinois received grant awards from the Consolidated Communications Earning For Learning (EFL) Program on May 2. Seated (L to R): Michael Smith, Jeanne Dau, Lisa Mayhall, Zaybree Pieper, Macey Ermovick, Elly Kime, Alexis Burrus and Ella Cutler. Standing (L to R): Peter Liu, Katrina Butler, Tim Condill, Holly Pantle, Leslie Farrar, Brian Hinton, Katie Savage, Brett Bennett, Linda Casteel, Jill Callahan, Laurie Borelli, Robin Klosterman, Michele Lindenmeyer, Bruce Brewer, Amy Hagen, Erin Nicolas, Nicole Durbin, Russell Tomblin and Trent Duckett.

Company's Earning For Learning (EFL) Program Supports 19 Schools and Foundations in 2017

May 24, 2017 - Consolidated Communications recently awarded $35,000 in grants to local schools through its Earning For Learning (EFL) program during a reception at the company's headquarters in Mattoon.

Earning For Learning funds programs and activities that enhance educational opportunities for students through technology and innovative learning. Over the past 25 years, the program has awarded $3.5 million in grants to districts in east central Illinois.

19 districts and education foundations are receiving grants from Consolidated Communications in 2017, including:

• Arcola Foundation - Assistance for the 1:1 Digital Learning Project for Arcola CUSD #306.
• Arthur CUSD # 305 - Interactive white board for high school math classroom.
• Charleston Excellence in Education Foundation -Teacher grants within Charleston CUSD #1 for new technology and tools.
• Effingham Unit 40 Education Foundation -Teacher grants for technology tools, classroom materials and scholarships.
• Hillsboro CUSD #3 -Funding for a mobile tablet lab at Hillsboro Junior High School.
• Litchfield Student Education Foundation - Teacher grants for special projects and materials.
• Mattoon Foundation for Academic Excellence - Funding projects and purchases to benefit the students of Mattoon CUSD #2.
• Mattoon St. John's Lutheran School - Grant to update computer hardware.
• Mattoon St. Mary School -Funding for a new hands-on science curriculum.
• Morrisonville CUSD #1 - Funding to purchase computer monitoring software for student lab computers.
• Nokomis CUSD #22 - Grant to fund new laptop computers for business lab.
• Pana CUSD #8 - Funding for flexible seating and desk options for classrooms.
• Panhandle CUSD #2 - Funding to update the Lincolnwood Library with new equipment.
• Shelbyville CUSD #4 - Funds to purchase tablets for grade school classroom.
• Sigel St. Michael School - Grant funding to purchase frogs and worms for dissection in junior high classes.
• South Fork School District #14 - Interactive white board for special education classroom.
• Stewardson-Strasburg CUSD #5A - Grant to purchase laptop for use at professional development events.
• Taylorville Public Schools Foundation - Program funding for an initiative to teach the importance of making good choices and developing strong moral character.
• Windsor CUSD #1 - Laptop purchase for elementary school reading and speech programs.

'Consolidated Communications is proud to award these EFL grants to schools and education foundations to fund their efforts to enhance educational opportunities in local schools,' said Sarah Greider, senior communications coordinator at Consolidated. 'The focus of the EFL Program is to support grants to fund the use of new technology in the classroom and projects that are not typically included in school budgets.'

Consolidated Communications EFL grants are awarded on an annual basis through a grant application process open to schools in the company's east central Illinois service district. Grant applications will be accepted again in February 2018. More information on the Consolidated Communications Earning For Learning Program is available at https://www.consolidated.com/about-us/community-matters/company-giving/earning-for-learning.

About Consolidated Communications
Consolidated Communications (NASDAQ: CNSL) provides business and broadband communications services across its 11-state service area to carrier, commercial and consumer customers. For more than a century, the Company has consistently provided innovative, reliable, high-quality products and services. Consolidated Communications offers a wide range of communications solutions including: High-Speed Internet, Data, Digital TV, Phone, managed and cloud services and wireless backhaul over an extensive fiber optic network. Learn more about Consolidated Communications at consolidated.com.