Becoming charitable guardian angels, playing Santa, and delivering meals are just a few of the ways TDS and its 3,000 local employees are helping Dane County residents get in the holiday spirit.
“We’re also making a $7,000 cash donation to HospiceCare, as requested by our employees” says Drew Petersen, director of legislative and public relations for TDS.
Each year, TDS invites employees to select an organization to receive the surprise holiday donation. According to Petersen, the donation is made in place of hosting a company-wide holiday party. He says, “It gives our employees a chance to get involved and appreciate knowing they’re helping spread joy to those who need it most.”
Throughout the holiday season, and in addition to the company’s cash gift, TDS employees can be found spreading cheer to many area non-profit organizations.
• Porchlight — Nearly 100 employees and their family members have volunteered to be “guardian angels” for nearly 120 families and individuals this year. For Christmas, TDS “guardian angels” will be delivering gifts and providing a turkey or ham; many also provided a turkey or ham for Thanksgiving.
• Meals on Wheels — TDS employees are expected to deliver approximately 100 meals on Christmas Day around the Madison area; they also delivered nearly 100 meals on Thanksgiving Day.
• Second Harvest Food Bank — TDS employees donated barrels full of non-perishable food items and hundreds of dollars to buy more food as part of the annual “Share Your Holidays Food Drive.”
• Toys for Tots and the TDS Giving Tree — TDS employees purchased gifts to help fulfill the wishes of area families and children in need. Gifts were donated to Toys for Tots, Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, Dane County Humane Society, and Eldercare.
• Salvation Army — More than 150 TDS employees and family members are ringing bells at Copps Food Center on Junction Road to collect money for the Salvation Army.
“While TDS employees are actively involved and volunteering to help many organizations during the holidays, our efforts are not merely seasonal,” Petersen says. “Throughout the year, we team up to help. It’s our company’s way of staying connected with our customers and communities while helping to improve the quality of life for all who live in Dane County.”
A look-back at 2007 shows TDS employees joined Project Home to help paint a house, cleaned up an area highway, and participated in the American Cancer Society run/walk. TDS also made financial contributions totaling more than $90,000 to area non-profit organizations, including:
• Gilda’s Club of Madison — donated a phone system (including new telecommunications equipment and technology solutions)
• American Red Cross — blood drive events held at TDS offices in Madison and Middleton collected nearly 300 pints of blood
• Verona area public library computer lab
• Madison Ballet “Behind the Curtains” student performance
• Ronald McDonald House
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County
• University of Wisconsin Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center
For more information, or to invite TDS to join your organization’s efforts, visit www.tdstelecom.com/about/community.asp .
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TDS Telecom brings high-quality, reliable, locally based telecommunications services to hundreds of rural and suburban communities across the United States. Founded in 1969, TDS Telecom is a growing part of the Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (AMEX: TDS) family of companies and provides service for more than 1.1 million access line equivalents. For more information about TDS Telecom visit www.tdstelecom.com .
