Voting began for U.S. Cellular's "Calling All Communities" campaign Sept. 9 for residents to rally and organize their community to support their favorite schools.

With a wider winner's circle this year - 18 schools will win a share of $1 million, up from 10 in previous years - there is even more incentive to spread the word. The top vote-receiving school will win $150,000, and the next 17 will each receive $50,000.

Winnings can be used any way the school sees fit to enhance students' learning experience.

"This campaign is powered by the community, and we invite eastern North Carolina residents to rally together to vote for their favorite school," said Kimberly Sebastian, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in eastern North Carolina. "U.S. Cellular is committed to improving learning opportunities for students through our Calling All Communities campaign, and that is just one of the reasons we have the happiest customers in wireless."

Through Oct. 6, anyone 18 years or older can visit any U.S. Cellular store and ask an associate for a code to vote for their favorite school at uscellular.com. Each online voting code gives the person the opportunity to vote online once per day during the campaign.

Each voting card also features a peel-off sticker that gives thousands of school supporters a chance to cast two votes per day or be one of 18 lucky people to win one year of free U.S. Cellular wireless service. Additionally, 2,000 randomly-selected voters will be awarded $25 U.S. Cellular debit cards simply for showing their school spirit.

The grass-roots, community-focused campaign has fostered numerous long-term benefits for winning schools, the company said in a news release.

In 2010, two eastern North Carolina schools used their Calling All Communities donations to improve the classroom experience for students.

Public and private schools, kindergarten through high school, are eligible to win. No purchase is necessary, and you don't have to be a U.S. Cellular customer to vote. The winning schools will be announced in October and November.

Since Calling All Communities began in 2008, U.S. Cellular has awarded $2 million to 20 schools throughout the nation.