Area school officials will kick off a get-out-the-vote campaign with an assortment of games and activities through U.S. Cellular’s Calling All Communities Contest.
Voting begins Friday for Calling All Communities, where U.S. Cellular will donate $150,000 to an American school receiving the most online votes during the nationwide competition. The communications company also will donate $50,000 to the next 17 top vote-getters.
All K-12 schools in the country are eligible for the contest — big or small, public or private.
To better the chances of bringing the money to Allen County, administrators from Iola USD 257, Marmaton Valley USD 256 and Humboldt USD 258 have agreed to utilize a team approach.
Thus, all votes for the county schools should be directed to Iola Middle School. If IMS places among the winners, the prize money would be split evenly among the three districts — $50,000 each if IMS places first; $16,666.66 apiece if the school finishes in the top 18.
The funds can be spent however each district sees fit.
Saturday’s activities will be part of a tailgate party starting at 2 p.m. in the parking lot in front of the U.S. Cellular store at 700 N. State St. in Iola.
There, a number of games, including a tug-of-war, are planned, while cheerleaders from each of the three school districts will be on hand. Area Girl Scouts will sell hot dogs.
A booth will be set up for folks to start voting.
This year marks the fourth annual Calling All Communities campaign and the second in a row in which the Allen County schools have pooled their resources.
A rules change from last year should benefit the Allen County schools, because now supporters only have to vote once instead of daily.
The only requirement is to enter a U.S. Cellular office to get information for voting.
No purchase is necessary, nor must a voter be a U.S. Cellular customer to participate.
The Allen County schools finished just outside the top 20 last year, leaving administrators hopeful they rank higher in 2012.
Voting runs through Oct. 21.
