National Volunteer Week is April 18-24 and provides the perfect opportunity to recognize the impact volunteering has in building our communities.
Whether stocking shelves at the local food bank or volunteering at your local school, TDS recognizes its volunteers and Community Outreach programs. It also serves as a reminder that TDS provides associates with 16 hours of paid time off every year to volunteer.
While it’s been a tough year to get out and volunteer due to COVID-19, TDS is shining a light on just a few of our associates who were able to volunteer. We appreciated all who take the time and use their talents to make a difference.
Meals on Wheels, Madison, Wisconsin
As a longtime volunteer and now coordinator of Meals on Wheels, TDS’ Kari B., senior IT Application Support, said “it’s great to see how involved our TDS family is in helping our communities. So many amazing people. Thank you to all of them!”
For the Meals on Wheels program, Kari said everyone is “always willing to help each other and cover a shift when possible,” she said. Throughout the pandemic, the Meals on Wheels organization has done a wonderful job of keeping everyone safe. “They even offered the vaccine to all of our volunteers when the CDC [Center for Disease Control] announced it was available to food service workers,” she said.
TDS volunteer Anna L., project coordinator specialist, said her most memorable day was Christmas Eve when she brought her son with her to deliver Meals on Wheels. “We wore Santa hats and my then 6-year-old was more than happy to sing a little jingle! He also learned to give back to those in need that might be alone on the holidays!”
The Neighbor’s Place, Wausau, Wisconsin
Last month, five TDS employees volunteered at The Neighbor’s Place, a food pantry in Wausau that serves area residents who need a hand up. The group purchased groceries and personal hygiene products and then helped The Neighbor’s Place load the items into the cars. The group assisted more than 100 families. A big thank you to TDS associates: Direct Sales Representatives Tim W. and Jakob S., Kathleen H, director of Sales Representatives, Ashley H., associate manager of Field Marketing, and Kristyn R., assistant to Field Services.
Supporting nonprofits in St. George, Utah
#TDSCARES was back in action partnering with local businesses to support SwitchPoint, a family resource center. TDS and other businesses collected and donated diapers to the program. In April, the field marketing team donated $350 worth of hygiene supplies to RRCI: Empowering People with Disabilities. The organization helps people live independently through education, personalized services, and technology.
Guide Dogs for the Blind, Bend, Oregon
Kim L. (right), an administrative assistant in Bend, has been training and raising guide dogs for the blind since she was 8 years old. TDS named Kim the Volunteer of the Quarter in 2020.
Supporting nonprofits in Colorado
TDS employees supported a COVID-19 Relief Supply Drive by collecting donations to distribute to a multitude of nonprofit organizations such as the Nappie Project, Meals on Wheels, Food Bank for Larimer County, Weld Food Bank, and a number of Weld & Larimer County Public Health Departments. Employees also collected toys and gifts for Mountain Post Santa’s Workshop in Fort Carson late last year.
