Funds to Provide Equipment Upgrades for Child Abuse Prevention Program

MILWAUKEE, May 23, 2007 – Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services Secretary Kevin R. Hayden joined U.S. Cellular associates today to present a gift of $40,000 and children’s clothing to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin’s Child Protection Center (CPC). The grant from U.S. Cellular will help provide new reporting technology to fight against child abuse in Wisconsin. The hundreds of items of clothing will be given to children in need who come through the CPC.

The grant will help fund upgraded equipment used for interviews of suspected child abuse victims. The new equipment will ensure that the children’s interview experience is as comfortable and complete as possible.

“Children experience enough trauma when they are abused and we need to do all we can to help prevent further suffering,” said Secretary Kevin Hayden.  “This contribution by U.S. Cellular and the Child Protection Center helps ensure that children will have interviews that are non-invasive and supportive – and that they won’t have to relive their traumatic experience over and over.”

 “U.S. Cellular is proud to continue its commitment to help victims of child abuse,” said Kathy Hust, vice president of operations, U.S. Cellular. “The new equipment will help the CPC identify abuse victims and move them into recovery as quickly as possible.” Hust thanked U.S. Cellular associates at the Waukesha Customer Care Center, who donated new clothing for the kids at the CPC. “I’m proud of the generosity of our associates and grateful to work for a company that is 100% committed to giving back to the community.”

 “Children’s Hospital and Health System has a longstanding commitment to stop child abuse and neglect in Wisconsin,” said Jon Vice, president and CEO of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. “We see far too many children in our hospitals as a result of abuse and neglect. This grant from U.S. Cellular goes a long way in helping us protect these children by supplying our case workers with the tools they need for interviewing and recording data that could be used to prosecute child abusers.”

Since 2002, U.S. Cellular has donated more than $775,000 in charitable grants to organizations in the state of Wisconsin, with more than $380,000 to organizations in Milwaukee.

About the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Child Protection Center

Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin’s Child Protection Center provides comprehensive assessments of children suspected to be victims of child abuse or neglect. The goal of the center is to protect children from abuse and provide resources to help them heal. The CPC is an accredited member of the National Children’s Alliance. NCA is a nationwide not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to promote and support communities in providing a coordinated investigation and comprehensive response to victims of severe child abuse.

About U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular is the nation’s sixth-largest wireless service carrier, providing wireless service to six million customers in 26 states. The Chicago-based company employs 8,000 associates and operates on a customer satisfaction strategy, meeting customer needs by providing a comprehensive range of wireless products and services, superior customer support, and a high-quality network.