Jul 27, 2026
Russell Cellular Store Manager Ashley Surratt has spent the past few years facing a cancer journey marked by unexpected turns. Through it all, she has continued showing up for her family, her customers, and her team at RC. Gratefully, kind folks far and wide have shown up for her as well – fundraising to help with medical expenses through the company’s RC Cares program and individual donations.
The journey has been and continues to be an arduous struggle for the working mother of four. What began as a pneumonia diagnosis in 2023 led to the discovery of stage one lung cancer during what was expected to be a routine procedure. Surgeons removed her left lung, and after more than a year of stability on chemotherapy medication, new scans revealed the cancer had spread. Ashley is now undergoing chemotherapy before additional surgeries.
A store manager with Russell Cellular for 12 years, Ashley says her children motivate her to keep moving forward. She also credits her coworkers for helping ease the burden. Through the company’s RC Cares program, employees across multiple districts participated in RC Cares specialty fundraising sales and donation drives. The caring support and contributions from the company and community have reduced burdensome expenses and provided Ashley a little peace of mind as she focuses on treatment and recovery.
“The company itself really isn’t just a corporation,” Ashley says. “They really are people who care. You actually feel important here, and I like that.” Thank you, Ashley – we wouldn’t have it any other way.
#RCCares #BetterTogether #CareForEveryPerson
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Jul 23, 2026
Before reaching its fifth “birthday,” RC Cares – the philanthropic arm of the Russell Cellular – reached a major milestone, having raised more than $1 million to benefit communities across the country. Three years later, RC Cares is still making a tremendous impact for causes and people nationwide, with a fundraising total of nearly $1.5 million to date and thousands of projects completed.
“The concept was – and still is – to give back and make a difference in people’s lives,” says Ron Wallace, Director of RC Cares. “This is what Jeff (co-founder and CEO of Russell Cellular) and Kym (co-founder) have always done. It’s their heart – they laid this foundation!”
That first million went a long way in helping citizens in communities everywhere, even a modest number of RC teammates facing calamity. The sum included donations to Russell Cellular’s Employee Emergency Fund, which directly supports qualified employees in dire circumstances.
“To me, there is no greater feeling than working for a company that you know has your back,” said one District Sales Manager. “I don’t know where I would be without the help from my RC family and the Employee Emergency Fund after my accident. The EEF allowed me to focus more on my healing instead of stressing about my financial burdens.”
One reason RC Cares remains successful is that it allows RC team members to support causes that matter to them personally. When employees observe a need in their community, they can create a fundraising project to help address it. As Wallace noted, this flexibility gives the local Russell Cellular teams “ownership” – and an opportunity to meet needs unique to their community.
To fund projects, the company created “Hedgie” PopSockets and tech wipes that are sold in all RC stores. (Hedgie the Hedgehog is the company’s iconic mascot.) Proceeds from these sales are banked for the local store to invest back into their local community through RC-approved outreach projects and events.
RC Cares also responds to aid requests from reputable institutions in communities. For example, Russell Cellular employees have helped Habitat for Humanity construct 10+ houses for individuals and families around the country, and support of the American Heart Association is ongoing.
Today RC Cares remains a key component of Russell Cellular’s culture of caring for customers, employees, and their communities. Compassionate RC employees still overwhelmingly support the initiative with enthusiasm through voluntary labor and regular contributions.
“It’s our culture,” said Wallace. “It’s who we are.” The spirit of compassion and generosity seems to be shared at the company at every level and location.
While the company’s philanthropy and charity might not impact everyone, results have been life-changing for many people and other creatures who’ve been relieved, aided, uplifted, and supported along the way. RC Cares will continue pursuing this calling to help even more people, causes, and communities as the company reaches into new regions. Special thanks to everyone who has or will participate in RC Cares – from customers to teammates – and to Russell Cellular for its remarkable leadership and support.
#RCCares #CareForEveryPerson #BetterTogether #GivingBack #CommunityImpact
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Jun 23, 2026
Often, giving charitably means making a positive impact,but from a distance. You work to ensure your money goes to a good cause, but you might not see the lives it affects.
At RC Cares, though, teams witness firsthand how giving impacts their communities and loved ones -just ask Holly Quinn, a District Sales Manager in southeast Tennessee.
Holly is notable at RC Cares for her giving track record. In fact, she recently helped her district become a top performer in RC Cares donations, with the district raising nearly $10,000 in 2025.
She says much of her district’s RC Cares sales success comes from how personal to the community a lot of the fundraisers are. Holly has helped raise money for her daughter’s dance team through RC Cares, and another manager has helped raise money for their son’s soccer team.
Holly’s district also notably provided crucial support through RC Cares when Holly’s uncle passed away. Through RC Cares sales, she was able to assist with funeral costs. Other efforts her district has helped raise money for include Toys for Tots, back-to-school drives, local cat cafes, and Habitat for Humanity builds. Their most recent endeavor is a team volunteer effort at a local animal shelter.
Holly says it is essential to build a culture around generosity for RC Cares sales. “It creates a feeling for our customers where we’re more than just a cell phone company,” she says. “It allows our customers the opportunity to give back to the community.”
#RCCares #BetterTogether #CareForEveryPerson
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Jun 12, 2026
In Pinedale, Wyoming, with its population of just over 2,000, a Russell Cellular store is keeping its impact local but powerful. This year, a small team and generous community raised more than $2,000 to support local families and individuals, under the direction of RC Cares district leader and store manager Arla Bujanda.
Causes the team has supported include community members with cancer, animal shelters, food drives, school supply drives, and school trips. Arla, who has been store manager for a little over a year, says that she tries to support a new cause every month. “I do these fundraisers to show people that there is help and hope for them,” she says of the fundraisers that focus on families and situations. “(It helps them to) know kind people are willing to take some stress off of bills and expenses.”
Through purpose-driven meetings and ongoing support from leadership, Arla can execute her monthly goals effectively. Her team says she truly sees the value of RC Cares and reflects that in how she advertises her projects.
One of Arla’s store team members, Raelynn Mitchell, says that RC Cares projects matter to her and the staff because they often have personal connections to the causes. “Sometimes I know the families, sometimes I go the shelter myself to help with the dogs,” she says. “It’s a personal thing. I help out where I can.”
#RCCares #BetterTogether #CareForEveryPerson
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May 12, 2026
Russell Cellular Regional Director Nick Nuñez writes:
As a leader, I’ve been fortunate to see firsthand the kind of impact we can make when we lead with purpose.
That mindset really took shape for me in 2025 when I was a District Sales Manager. For six months, our district ranked #1 in RC Cares sales – not because of a number we were chasing, but because we focused on causes that were personal to our team.
One of those causes is especially close to me – dog rescue. I’ve always loved dogs (I have seven of my own – 13 if you count fosters), and I was able to rally my district around supporting a local foster program. Together, we raised over $6,000 through RC Cares.
That effort turned into something even bigger. Not long after, I drove 41 rescue dogs to Canada in a van that had been repaired using RC Cares funds – helping them reach their forever homes. It was a 60-hour journey from Friday morning to Sunday evening, with just one stop to shower – but it’s something I’ll never forget.
We also supported causes closer to home. When a team member’s mother was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and could no longer work during treatment, our district came together to raise more than $3,400 to support their family.
Moments like these are why RC Cares matters. It’s not just about raising money – it’s about creating real impact for people and communities we care about.
A lot of that inspiration comes from leaders like (RC Cares Director) Ron Wallace and (Regional Director of Sales) Jeremy Willams. They lead with generosity and heart, and they’ve helped shape how I approach giving back – making it personal, meaningful, and something our teams can truly rally behind.
#Verizon #5G #LTE #Fiber #RussellCellular #BetterTogether #RCCares #Purpose
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Mar 6, 2026
A Special Thank You to Russell Cellular Team Members Everywhere!
Russell Cellular cares for its employees year-round and especially today – National Employee Appreciation Day 2026.
“Care for every person.” This approach to life and business is our philosophy and behavior based on the Golden Rule. It’s been the keystone of Russell Cellular, from its storied founding by Jeff and Kym Russell, through three-plus decades of impressive growth under innovative leadership. Caring makes all the difference, to our customers, our employees, and to families and communities benefiting across the country.
Even before the Customer Experience is discussed during on-boarding, Russell Cellular promises, and delivers, an Employee Experience meant to bring out their best by offering the best:
- Opportunity (to learn, to advance through merit)
- Value (to be recognized, respected, and rewarded)
- Team (to work with fellow professionals in places where RC’s values are lived)
Russell Cellular’s guiding principle of “care for every person” is a true benefit to employees. The company shows trust in individuals’ potential. Care is taken to invest in each person’s career development, with hands-on experience with personalized training to maximize potential, and unrivaled opportunities for advancement within the company.
All employees have access to helpful personal services through a generous third-party Employee Assistance Program, for legal advice, budgeting help, mental health counseling, and much more. Through RC Cares, the philanthropic and charitable causes the company supports often include direct financial assistance to team members facing unfortunate or emergency situations. Caring makes all the difference.
Because “The best wireless experience to every customer, every time” is Russell Cellular’s singular mission, it emphasizes “care for every person” in employee training on day one. It isn’t just a business strategy; it’s an attitude that everyone can win if we care enough to help.
Employees adopting a caring attitude often find their kindness and support reciprocated by their teammates and rewarded by repeat customers. That’s a “win” for everyone!
So today, we celebrate the heart of our company. The people who make everything possible. Our incredible employees! Your dedication, creativity, and commitment to our customers and our communities shape who we are and who we strive to be. Thank you for showing up, supporting one another, and bringing your best every day.
Happy Employee Appreciation Day!
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