PLS Helps On-Ramp Provide Technology to the Needy

CHICAGO, IL—December 7, 2011: PLS was a corporate sponsor of “Ramp it Up 2011,” a charity event which collected donations of computers and cell phones for distribution to those in need. The event was hosted by On-Ramp (www.on-ramp.org), a volunteer organization in Chicago whose mission is to provide access to technology for disadvantaged students, the homeless and the elderly.

PLS operates more than 300 financial services centers in nine states. The PLS mission is to provide innovative and convenient financial services delivered with the respect that hard-working consumers deserve.

Ramp it Up 2011 was held on November 17 at Spybar in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Attendees received a free t-shirt with a laptop donation, and a free cocktail for a cell phone donation. Celebrity guests included Dennis McKinnon, a member of the 1985 Super Bowl champion Bears team.

“We salute and support On-Ramp’s efforts to provide access to technology to those in need,” said Bob Wolfberg, President, PLS. “Through On-Ramp’s fine work, more and more people will be able to use today’s technological resources to increase their opportunities and improve their quality of life.”


The PLS Group, headquartered in Chicago, is comprised of more than 300 financial services centers in Alabama, Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, New York, Texas and Wisconsin, with more than 3,100 employees. PLS is one of the largest, fastest-growing and most distinguished organizations in the check cashing industry, and is a top performer for Western Union®, a money transfer network.

PLS has been listed among Inc. magazine’s “5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America” (www.inc.com/inc5000/list) for the past three years, and for three consecutive years has been named one of the “101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in Chicago” by the National Association for Business Resources (www.101bestandbrightest.com). For the past four years, PLS has been named one of Chicago’s Largest Privately Held Companies by Crain’s Chicago Business® (www.chicagobusiness.com), and was listed among Crain’s “Fast 50” (Fastest Growing Companies). Bob and Dan Wolfberg, PLS Presidents, were finalists for Ernst & Young’s 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year Award (www.ey.com). In 2011, Bob Wolfberg was recognized by Financial Service Centers of America [FiSCA (www.fisca.org)] as its Financial Service Provider of the Year. The company has also been twice honored with the Activa Award from FiSCA in recognition of its charitable efforts.

The PLS Group serves customers through its PLS Check Cashers stores, which offer check cashing, prepaid Visa® debit cards, money transfer services, money orders and bill payments; PLS Loan Store locations, which provide consumer short-term loans, auto insurance and tax-preparation services; and PLS Motor Vehicle Services facilities, which offer vehicle license and registration services.


On-Ramp is a volunteer organization in Chicago founded by individuals seeking to bridge the “Digital Divide”—the growing gap between those who enjoy access to technology and those who are falling further and further behind because they do not. On-Ramp recycles computer equipment and cell phones from individuals and companies in Chicagoland to improve the lives and possibilities of disadvantaged students, the homeless and the elderly, by providing access to technology they’ve never had. At the same time, On-Ramp provides an environmentally friendly and tax-deductible way to dispose of used computer and communication equipment. For more information, visit www.on-ramp.org

12/7/2011 Barb Wolf All 734 0

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