Featured Volunteers

John Matrazzo

St Mary's, Georgia

For Associate Manager of Field Services John Matrazzo, giving back is second nature. Whether it’s opening his home to local youth or supporting foster children at summer camp, John finds purpose in being there for kids who need it most.

John wears many hats at his church. He helps the IT department, assists with maintenance, and works with kids. Every Wednesday, John and his wife host a youth group of 40 to 50 kids at their home. On Sundays, he leads a Sunday School class for third to fifth-grade boys.

It was through his church that John discovered the Royal Family KIDS Camp, a week-long camp for foster children.

“For me, it’s about being there for these kids and showing them someone cares,” John said. “Anytime I’m having a bad day, I think back to those kids and their resilience. It’s given me patience, perspective, and a greater appreciation for what I have.”

John’s unwavering dedication to others truly embodies the spirit of volunteerism at TDS. His story is a powerful testament to the profound difference one person can make—one child at a time.

Cooper Griffiths

Trevor, Wisconsin

For Outside Plant Construction Fiber Splicer Cooper Griffiths, volunteering at the Wisconsin Lions Camp is more than just giving back—it’s about creating a sense of belonging for kids who share his experience. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just 7 years old, Cooper attended the camp as a child, where he met others who understood what it was like to live with the condition.

“I always loved going there when I was younger because I didn’t know many diabetic people when I was growing up,” said Cooper. “But when you go there, you’re with hundreds of other kids who are diabetic, and it helps you fit in a little more.”

Now, Cooper returns every summer as a volunteer camp counselor, dedicating two weeks to help kids build confidence and connect with others who share their condition. Whether he’s teaching fishing or playing sports, Cooper finds the most rewarding part of his volunteer work is giving kids the chance to see they’re not alone.

“These kids are away from home for a week, and we always do our best to have them try out stuff that they've never done,” said Cooper. “Being a part of the camp is so rewarding because it meant so much to me as a kid.”

Lindsay Trustem

Evansville, Wisconsin

Animal rescue has been a passion for Senior Project Manager Lindsay Trustem since she was a child. The daughter of two animal-loving parents, Lindsay grew up in a home filled with various rescue animals.

When Lindsay was 18 and living on her own for the first time, she adopted her first animal—an abandoned cat named Calvin. Less than a year later, she adopted two rescue pit bull mixes. For the last 20 years, she’s been an active pet foster and volunteer, rehabbing and fostering at least two rescue pit bulls at any given time.

In that timeframe, she’s also been an active volunteer at several rescue organizations and non-profits, including The Cats Pawjamas Rescue (Albany, Wisc.), Misfit Felines Rescue (Stoughton, Wisc.), Brown Paws Dog Rescue (Edgerton, Wisc.), Diamond Dogs Rescue (Madison, Wisc.), the Paws Humane Society (Rockford, Ill.), Rescue Railroad (Chicago, Ill.), and Czar’s Promise (Madison, Wisc.). Lindsay’s special ability to heal any animal through love and care—even the most emotionally damaged souls—has gained her an impressive reputation in the local animal rescue community. She is often called upon by local shelters to help rehab struggling animals.

“I know some believe that if you volunteer a lot, you don’t need to tell the world about it,” Lindsay said. “I love how TDS emphasizes and recognizes its associates for the work they do in their communities, because I believe talking about it is the best way for others to discover their love for volunteering.”

Pamela Hayn

Nampa, Idaho

Pamela Hayn, associate manager of Field Marketing in Boise, Idaho, is a vital resource for nonprofits seeking assistance in her community. Known for her extensive volunteer efforts, Pamela supports a wide range of organizations either in her free time or through her role with TDS, including homeless shelters, the Humane Society, food drives, and more.

“Volunteering has become something so vitally important to me. It’s so rewarding,” Pamela said. “One of my favorite parts of my job is getting out and giving back to the community.”

One of Pamela’s most significant contributions last year was leading the West Valley Humane Society’s Furball Gala. Pamela and her colleague, Trisha, handled every aspect of the event, from designing the logo and sponsorship kit to securing the venue and decorating. Their efforts resulted in raising $56,000— significantly aiding the Humane Society’s mission to care for animals. This dedication led to Pamela being elected to the organization’s board of directors.

Pamela also organizes TDS volunteer groups for events like Earth Day tree plantings, Clean Up Nampa, and Rake Up Nampa. Her established relationships with various organizations make her a go-to contact when help is needed. For instance, when the Nampa Family Justice Center requested hygiene kits, Pamela swiftly allocated resources to meet the need.

“We stretch our philanthropic dollars like crazy,” Pamela said. “Anything we can do to help and make things a little better, we try to do.”