Town welcomes TCC as non-profits receive grant awards

Although The Cellular Connection (TCC) has only been open a month in Johnston, the Verizon premium wireless retailer has already made an impact in the community.

Last Friday, TCC district sales manager Charles Haskins awarded a total of $9,000 to three different area non-profit agencies during the store’s official grand opening at 1386 Atwood Ave. in the Stonehill Marketplace.

“I’m thrilled to welcome TCC to Johnston and our business community,” Mayor Joseph Polisena told business leaders and Verizon officials prior to the ceremonial ribbon cutting. “This is yet another new business in town, and we thank TCC for coming here and especially for making these extraordinary donations.”

Polisena added: “The Autism Project, Tri-Town Community Action Agency, and Big Brothers Big Sisters have helped many, many people here, and for that we again say thank you.”

In celebration of TCC’s grand opening in Johnston, members of the community were asked to vote for one of five selected local non-profits to receive monetary donations. First-, second-, and third-place winners were selected based on the votes.

“We were thrilled with the number of local residents who voted to support these causes,” Haskins said prior to announcing he winners. “As we embed ourselves in the community, we look forward to unmatched services to our Johnston customers while also supporting local causes whenever we can.”

Haskins then presented Tri-Town CEO Joseph DeSantis with a check for $1,000, and Taylor Millspaugh of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State with a $3,000 check.

The Autism Project, which is based at 1516 Atwood Ave. less than a mile from the TCC store, was the top vote-getter in the balloting, and Haskins presented Joanne G. Quinn, the non-profit’s executive director, with the check for $5,000.

All three recipients thanked Haskins, as well as TCC operations district manager Cortney Gelsinger and local store manager Rafael Valentin, for the support.

DeSantis said Tri-Town will use part of the $1,000 grant to help prevent homelessness and provide food for those in need.

Haskins and New England area operations manager Stephen Bombard also announce that in addition to the monetary donations, employees volunteer their time to help local organizations.