TDS Telecom raises record amount for two local charities
TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS®) is pleased to support two deserving charities after it raised a record amount from its annual golf outing, the TDS Open. Associates and vendors participated in the golf outing at University Ridge Golf Course in Verona, Wisconsin. Badger Childhood Cancer Network (BCCN) in Madison, Wisconsin received $82,500, and $82,500 was raised for Project 16:49 in Janesville, Wisconsin.
“This is the largest amount that we have raised from this annual event, topping the record-setting $130,000 raised last year,” said TDS Telecom President and CEO Jim Butman. “We are honored to support families in need and vulnerable youth throughout Wisconsin’s Dane and Rock counties.”
BCCN is a nonprofit that provides direct emergency financial assistance to families of children with cancer or life-threatening disorders. Working on referrals from social workers, BCCN helps with household and travel expenses that, if left unmet, might compromise the health and safety of the critically ill child.
Project 16:49 serves Rock County’s unaccompanied homeless youth between ages 14 to 21 and believes every child deserves the opportunity to achieve success. The organization ensures access to the services and support these students need to remain in school, graduate, and become self-sufficient adults.
The TDS Open has raised more than $890,000 for worthy charities since it became a charitable golf outing 13 years ago.
“TDS’ generosity will make a world of difference for children and families dealing with the unimaginable,” said Susannah Peterson, executive director for BCCN. “We are humbled for the opportunity to continue benefiting local kids fighting cancer or life-threatening blood diseases with this donation.”
Tammy DeGarmo, executive director of Project 16:49, is likewise thankful for her organization’s selection as a TDS Open beneficiary.
“We’re so grateful to TDS for this opportunity for Project 16:49,” DeGarmo said. “These kids are often overlooked, but they share the same dreams, capabilities, and aspirations as their classmates. TDS will help us provide them with life-changing opportunities to find success.”
More than 170 associates, vendors, and volunteers participated in this year’s TDS Open. The golf outing had 80 sponsors, including platinum-level ($10,000) support from Calix, CoPilot, Salesforce, and Tak Communications, Inc. Executive level ($5,000) sponsors include AE Business Solutions/Rubrik, Clearfield, Commscope, Evolution, F-Secure, Lumen, Millenium, Netceed, Nokia, Precision, Radd Networks, Sidley, Tilson, and Xperi. Over 60 vendors donated at various other levels. Money was also raised through raffle tickets, mulligan sales, and hole contests.
