C Spire helps three “Big” wishes come true; donates $10,000 to Extra Table food charity
Ridgeland, Miss., (December 21, 2017) – The most important things in life aren’t things at all – as the wishes granted to the 2017 winners of C Spire’s popular Christmas wish program so aptly demonstrate.
As part of its customer inspired philosophy, C Spire recently asked individuals to share their personal stories and explain why their wish, no matter how big or small, should be granted by the company. The response was overwhelming. In just six days, over 2,200 wish requests were submitted through an online website. No purchase was necessary to participate in the program.
The three winning entries all involved inspiring, yet simple stories of family, faith, hope and love in the midst of daunting personal, health and financial challenges that represent some of the best examples of the indomitable human spirit. C Spire is helping each winner make their wish a reality.
“As a company that gets its inspiration from our customers, we were amazed by the incredible stories of everyday hard-working people courageously and valiantly striving to help their families and the people they love,” said C Spire CEO Hu Meena. “We have the best customers in the world and we’re honored to play a small role in helping change lives for a few of them at this special time of year.”
For the friends and family of Josh McIntosh, a 13-year-old Madison teenager battling brain cancer who loves professional football, the wish was simple. A once-in-a-lifetime trip to Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on Feb. 4, 2018 in Minneapolis to watch the National Football League’s championship game.
“I’m excited about the Super Bowl trip just because of the fact that I have the strength to go there,” said McIntosh, who has undergone several surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatments since being diagnosed with his illness in March. “There are other types of cancer that can kill you, and I know that my cancer can kill me, but it hasn’t. I’m still alive.”
Staff at the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children, where McIntosh is being treated, say the young man’s courage and strength during the cancer battle is an inspiration to hospital workers, family and friends. Asked about the secret to his bravery and positive attitude, McIntosh replied, “There is no secret, I’m … just … living.”
Debbie Colligan is a young Hernando woman who lovingly cares around-the-clock for her two autistic sons. During a recent visit to a C Spire store, Colligan was encouraged to submit an entry in the holiday contest. Her wish? Some funds to help purchase a service dog from Retrieving Freedom to aid one of her sons, Jareth, who suffers from a more severe form of autism.
“My sons have an amazing imagination. They contradict and challenge their diagnosis of autism every day,” Colligan said. “We are so incredibly thankful to C Spire for granting this wish for my son Jareth. I want my boys to do what they are doing right now – smile all the time and be happy. This is truly a blessing.”
KJuan Greer, a 16-year-old junior at Jim Hill High School in Jackson, sought help to purchase Christmas gifts for his younger sister and mother, Kasasha Allen, who works long hours at her job and in the home to help make ends meet for the family. “I just wanted to put a smile on my Mom’s face and let her know how much I love and appreciate her,” Greer said.
C Spire granted Greer’s wish and provided funds for the family to purchase gifts so they could celebrate the holidays and express their appreciation to one another. Allen said she is proud of her son, his maturity and giving spirit. “Just knowing that my son recognizes how hard I work and strive for him – the sacrifices – so that he can live a better life is a special blessing to me,” she said.
C Spire also made a $10,000 contribution to Extra Table, a Hattiesburg-based non-profit that partners with Sysco, the nation’s largest food distribution company, to supply community food pantries and soup kitchens in Mississippi with healthy food to people in need.
The company produced a special video on the 2017 Christmas Wish program featuring the inspiring stories of the three winners. The video can be viewed on C Spire’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
About C Spire
C Spire is a diversified telecommunications and technology services company that provides world-class customer-inspired service and a superior comprehensive suite of customer-inspired wireless communications, high-speed Internet access and a range of other telecommunications products and services to consumers and businesses. This news release and other announcements are available at www.cspire.com/news. For more information about C Spire, visit www.cspire.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cspire or Twitter at www.twitter.com/cspire.
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