Thousands have holidays brightened by TDS
More than a dozen non-profit agencies received gifts, toys, food and supplies from TDS and its employees — just in time for the holidays.
Hundreds of dollars in gift cards, barrels of food, boxes of toys, and countless household items were donated by Telephone and Data Systems Inc., TDS Telecom, and their employees. Early last week, all the donations were sorted, packed, and delivered to area non-profit organizations — just in time to brighten the holidays for those in need.
TDS employees gave hand-selected gifts to over 100 individuals through the Porchlight Angels program. Since 2011, TDS has been teaming with Porchlight, a local agency working to decrease the homeless population, by serving as Angels and helping those in need. TDS employees also raised $320 cash for the organization in support of additional needs.
“Each year, it’s humbling to see our employees give to those who would otherwise go without,” said Andrew Petersen, VP of External Affairs and Communications at TDS. “Porchlight is an incredible organization, and we’re proud to support their mission, especially around the holidays.”
According to Petersen, for weeks, employees have also been filling bins placed throughout TDS offices in Dane County. Placed in the bins were hundreds of donations, including food, toys, pet items, and household objects. In all, more than a dozen non-profit organizations are receiving support from TDS and their employees this year, including:
- Toys for Tots — four overflowing boxes of toys.
- Domestic Abuse Intervention Services — three large oversized bins filled with necessities and $90 in gift cards.
- Dane County Humane Society — three jumbo-sized bins filled with pet supplies, peanut butter, food, and $70 gift cards.
- Independent Living — two massive-sized bins filled with necessities and $130 in gift cards.
- Salvation Army — nearly 100 employees volunteered to ring bells for 50 hours.
- Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin — nearly 17,000 meals resulting from the canned food drive, phone system donation for the annual Share Your Holidays telethon, and the employee charity of choice vote.
- Badger Honor Flight — received $3,500 in the employee charity of choice vote.
- $2,000 donations to the following food pantries:
- Badger Prairie Needs Network, Verona
- Village of Belleville Food Pantry
- Green Cares Food Pantry, Monroe
- Lussier Community Center Food Pantry, Madison
- Middleton Outreach Ministry (MOM)
- Waunakee Food Pantry
- Sun Prairie Emergency Food Pantry
“Giving back is a huge part of our company’s culture, and I especially see this around the holidays,” said Petersen. “Every year, I’m thoroughly impressed by our employees’ generosity and desire to help those in need.”
