Beyond providing better high-speed internet, TV and phone services for the region, TDS is making meaningful connections, and community organizations are taking notice.
The company’s business accolades alone are impressive, winning gold-level recognition as the Best Internet Provider in the Best of Southern Utah awards in 2021. Yet for TDS, it has always been about more than just business. Since arriving in southern Utah nearly seven years ago, the company has ventured to connect with the community, get involved and help to make it a better place.
The result? The company’s community giving is paying off for everyone, as evidenced by the community accolades TDS has also accrued. The Southern Utah Home Builders Association recently named TDS Telecom its Above & Beyond award winner for 2021 for going above and beyond when it comes to sponsoring events for the association and in the community.
TDS was also named the 2020 Outstanding Business of the Year by Root for Kids, a local nonprofit family support center.
"TDS has been a really strong partner with us through the years," said Root for Kids Chief Executive Officer, Suzanne Leonelli.
"You are there for us every day and you step up and help us during times like we are experiencing right now. Thank you for being eager to donate the internet for our annual Radiothon, bring volunteers, and come to our rescue with a generous donation when we opened the emergency childcare for first responders' kids."
Donna MacBean of Neighborhood Connection also praised TDS after the coronavirus pandemic hit.
“Our nonprofit could no longer feed the kids on the weekends. We teamed up with Washington County to find families that had empty fridges and we reached out to TDS to help fill them. Typical of TDS and Brenda Cody, TDS was quick to respond and always looks for ways to serve our community.”
The TDS community giving plan is well-rounded, with monetary and other forms of donations. In the last year alone, TDS has donated $20,000 to the Housing Action Coalition in Washington County, $5,000 to the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, and has provided additional support for Root for Kids and the St. George Children’s Museum. TDS also donated 600 pounds of food to the Mesquite Lights Salvation Army Food Bank, personal hygiene and cleaning products to RRCI: Empowering People with Disabilities, and more.
TDS associates also volunteer in the communities TDS serves—from sorting food at the Utah Food Bank, to cleaning, painting and building to support the Washington County Children's Justice Center, and to partnering with families in need with Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah to help construct their future homes. This is made possible in part by the company’s “Be Good Citizens” program, which provides employees with 16 hours of paid volunteer time off every year.
At the heart, giving back is an integral part of the TDS culture. From hands-on volunteering and serving on local boards, to in-kind and financial support, TDS takes a vested interest in the growth and success of the surrounding community—a venture in giving that is making things better for the residents of southern Utah.
