Company celebrates employees, who volunteer more than 8,000 hours annually, during National Volunteer Week
Vermont Business Magazine Consolidated Communications is celebrating the dedication of its employees in the communities where they live and work this National Volunteer Week (April 21 – 27), the annual week which recognizes the contributions of volunteers and the impact they have on organizations they serve.
In support of Everybody Wins! Vermont, Jeff Austin, senior director of fiber build strategy for Consolidated Communications, exemplifies this volunteer spirit in Burlington. Everybody Wins! Vermont is a literacy-based mentoring program, with volunteers working with students during their lunch in 20 schools across the state. Jeff has been involved with Everybody Wins! Vermont since 2003, both as a mentor and serving on the organization's board of directors.
“This is the most rewarding one hour a week you could possibly spend,” said Austin. “We’re all so busy in our personal and professional lives, but that stress goes away because you know your student is going to be happy to see you every single time you walk into the classroom, greeting you with a big smile. It’s just a great feeling.”
Volunteering as a mentor even just for one hour each week can create meaningful connections with a student mentee, making an impact that lasts a lifetime.
“Volunteering is some of the most important time you’re going to spend. It doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment, but what you get out of it is going to feel so great”, said Austin. “When you can go out and give back to your community and make a difference, and your company supports you in doing that, it really is a game changer. I feel extremely grateful for the support of Consolidated supporting my volunteer activities.”
Employees from Consolidated Communications volunteered more than 8,700 hours in 2023, supporting nearly 200 organizations across the company’s 20-plus state service area. Since 2019, Consolidated employees have reported more than 33,000 hours of volunteer service.
“We are incredibly proud of our employees’ dedication and effort in giving back to the communities where they live and work,” said Jennifer Spaude, senior vice president of corporate communications for Consolidated. “Investing in our communities is at the heart of what we do, and we are thankful to each of our employee volunteers for the positive impact and difference they make in their communities.”
To support and recognize employee volunteers, Consolidated created the Consolidated Cares Employee Volunteer Program in 2022. Through CCI Cares, the company makes contributions of $250 to local non-profits on behalf of employees who volunteer 25 or more hours. As a result of the program and the dedication of employees to their community, since 2022 Consolidated has contributed to 100 non-profits on behalf of employees.
In addition to CCI Cares, the company supported more than 625 nonprofits and community organizations in 2023, contributing more than $1.6 million to more than 200 rural communities. To learn more about Consolidated Communications’ CCI Cares program, employee volunteerism and more community programs, visit https://www.consolidated.com/
About Consolidated Communications
Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNSL) is dedicated to moving people, businesses and communities forward by delivering the most reliable fiber communications solutions. Consumers, businesses and wireless and wireline carriers depend on Consolidated for a wide range of high-speed internet, data, phone, security, cloud and wholesale carrier solutions. With a network spanning 58,000 fiber route miles, Consolidated is a top 10 U.S. fiber provider, turning technology into solutions that are backed by exceptional customer support. Learn more at consolidated.com. Connect with us on social media.
Source: BURLINGTON, Vt. – April 22, 2024 – Consolidated Communications
