Washington, Utah resident named TDS Volunteer of the Quarter

TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS^®) has named Washington, Utah resident Tyler Hunsaker, associate manager of Field Marketing, its Volunteer of the Quarter.

From philanthropic date nights with his wife to solo volunteering after a full day’s work, Hunsaker never wastes an opportunity to give back to his community.

Hunsaker is the founding member of the Washington City Rotary Club and sits on the boards for Leadership Dixie and Root for Kids. He is a former board member of the St. George Children's Museum and has been an active St. George Area Chamber Sunshiner Ambassador for the past two years.

“Tyler is the most active community member I knows. He is passionate about his community and gives back on a weekly basis. He is the first to volunteer and spends many nights and weekends helping those in need. He also rallies others to support these wonderful causes. He is amazing,” said TDS Manager of Field Marketing Brenda Cody.    

Recently, Hunsaker and his wife volunteered with Love Where You Live Utah, a roadside clean-up group in Washington. With his TDS safety vest on and trash gripper in hand, he says it is a rewarding and fun opportunity for him to make his community look great.

However, Hunsaker finds the most joy in giving back to children in his community. Through the Washington City Chapter Rotary, he has organized four events specifically for children:

• A polar plunge (where he will be dressed in a Popeye costume)
• A pickleball tournament
• The Mayor’s Cup for Washington City Golf Tournament
• A Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah event in which the local rotary sets up a big tailgate for kids to come and experience the Dixie State University Homecoming football game. In past years, there have been upwards of 50 children in attendance.

Along with his community clean up and fundraising efforts, Tyler is well-known for his singing abilities and has been regularly performing at the local senior center for just over a year now. “At Christmas time we do a ‘Cowboy Christmas’ where we sing cowboy tunes and Christmas songs,” Hunsaker said. “The staff say that the residents just keep asking for us back every time because we don't sing the same songs. It’s just been so much fun.”

“Anyone can figure out a way to better serve their community,” said Hunsaker. “Getting involved in something you are passionate about is a great first step.”

Hunsaker worked for 15 years in the restaurant industry before coming on board with TDS a year ago.

Helping the communities where TDS offers services is an important part of the company’s mission. TDS provides associates with 16 hours of paid time off every year to volunteer at a 501(c)(3) organization of their choice through its Be Good Citizens program.