Sep 18, 2026
Tool Belts & Bow Ties, the annual fundraising gala hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Springfield, Missouri, took over the Oasis Hotel & Convention Center this spring with a “Dockside Dreams” theme of food, music, décor and an easygoing vibe that resulted in real community impact.
A standout moment was seeing a framed home built inside the convention center before it was moved to become a future Habitat house for a local family. It gave attendees a glimpse into the building process and to picture it as a completed home.
Funds raised will help build a safe, affordable home for the Haskett family in Springfield.
“Russell Cellular has supported Habitat for Humanity for seven years and worked with our Springfield chapter for five,” says Ron Wallace, Director of RC Cares. “RC has donated to this event for three years now, helping to build homes for local families.”
Events like this are what turn a night out into something that actually changes lives.
Read more about the gala.
#RCCares #HabitatForHumanity #SpringfieldMO #ToolBeltsAndBowTies #BetterTogether #CareForEveryPerson
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Sep 11, 2026
At Russell Cellular, every new sale is an opportunity to build meaningful connections and make a lasting difference. Through the RC Cares Round Up initiative, customers can support individuals and families facing challenges right in their local communities by rounding up their purchase to the nearest dollar.
The impact of RC Cares is made possible through a partnership between generous customers and dedicated Russell Cellular team members. At checkout, employees invite customers to participate in the Round Up program, creating a simple way for small contributions to add up and help neighbors in need.
“We’re not trying to fix people’s problems with money,” says Ron Wallace, Director of RC Cares. “We’re just trying to take away some stresses, relieve some stresses, and show people that we care. It’s not for accolades, it’s not for show, it’s not for recognition. It simply gives people an opportunity to make a difference in their community.”
#RCCares #BetterTogether #CareForEveryPerson
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Aug 21, 2026
Voluntary Contributions to Employee Emergency Fund Help Teammates in Need
When Ron Wallace stepped into his Director of RC Cares position nine years ago, he learned he would not only be uplifting communities through the organization but also directly serving the Russell Cellular family with its Employee Emergency Fund, or EEF. 
The EEF, managed and facilitated by RC Cares, was established by CFO Robert Lister, along with Jeff and Kym Russell, to help team members and their families in times of emergency such as the death of an immediate family member, a house fire, being a victim of a violent crime, and acute medical situations.
Money for the fund is raised by team members, with RC matching every donation. A way that many associates choose to give is by making donations through paychecks.
“If you speak to team members that have been impacted by it, they’re very thankful,” Ron says about the EEF. “It’s always come at a time when they’ve needed it.”
Under Ron’s direction, the fund has expanded its eligibility for use, including adding family members to those who are considered immediate family and support for families who have had a miscarriage. Because of this, more team members can access the fund.
Those wishing to request funds from the EEF may do so by filling out the EEF application found in Zipline, Ron says. To donate to the fund, there is a Dayforce form in team members’ personal sections, or associates may email Ron directly at [email protected].
#RCCares #BetterTogether #CareForEveryPerson
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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
Read more RC news, reviews, and feature articles ~ https://russellcellular.com/blog/
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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