2025 Community Champions Contest
ACA Connects Members are an important part of their communities. In addition to delivering reliable and affordable video and broadband services, they often lead initiatives that provide a helping hand to their neighbors and friends.
ACA Connects is excited to announce that entries are now being accepted for the 2025 Community Champions contest! This annual initiative encourages ACA Connects Operator Members to submit a community service project showing how their company supports and uplifts the neighborhoods and customers they serve.
Online entries will be accepted from March 26 through August 29 at 5 p.m. Eastern. Entries must include a 150- to 250-word description of the project and one photograph. Only one entry per Member company is allowed, and the contest is only open to ACA Connects Operator Members (Companies are eligible to win every 4 years).
Voting will occur from September 1 through October 3 at 5 p.m. Eastern on the ACA Connects website. The winner of the contest will be announced in mid-October and will be presented with a $2,500 donation from ACA Connects to support their project.
Nominated project photos and details could be featured in the opening video at Summit 2026—offering an excellent opportunity to showcase your company’s efforts. The opening video is highly anticipated! Watch the Summit 2025 opening video here.
Additionally, nominations will be featured on the ACA Connects website and in Action Briefs. All nominated projects, including the winner, will be highlighted in the November edition of ICN, our all-digital magazine.
At ACA Connects, we are proud to represent such a wonderful group of companies who see the value of investing in their communities and lifting up their neighbors. We’re excited to see the innovative and unique projects our Members have developed in an effort to give back!
The deadline to nominate a Community Champion was August 15, 2024 at 5 p.m. ET. Check back soon for voting.
Questions regarding Community Champions?
Please contact Stacey Leech at [email protected].
Blue Ridge Communications
SPREAD THE WARMTH
For the past eight years, Blue Ridge Communications (BRC) has partnered with various non-profit organizations within our service area to support our annual SPREAD THE WARMTH community initiative. This important campaign aims to distribute much-needed children’s winter clothing, such as coats, hats, scarves, and gloves, at no cost to families in need. For every new internet connection or upgrade added in November, Blue Ridge makes a clothing donation.
Every year since 2018, this community impact initiative has grown. Last year, we donated over 1,100 coats to children. SPREAD THE WARMTH is one of the most impactful community events for us. Our customers, employees, and non-profit partners really look forward to this every year and believe it demonstrates how business and non-profit partners can work together to benefit the communities we serve. This is just one of the many ways we continue to build trusted and valued connections across Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania.
LFT Fiber
6888th Central Postal Battalion Honor Event
LFT Fiber (located in Lafayette, Louisiana), in collaboration with the 4-A Sister’s Club, proudly honored hometown legend Major Fannie McClendon during Black History Month for her dedicated service in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during World War II. The remarkable efforts of this battalion inspired Tyler Perry’s film The Six Triple Eight.
LFT Fiber hosted a free, formal award presentation in McClendon’s honor on February 13, 2025. Her niece, Dianne Mouton-Allen, accepted on her behalf. McClendon, now 104 years old, appeared at the event via video conference. She shared her gratitude and memories of her time in the service, stating, “No matter where we serve, we must support and uplift one another. Love and compassion are what truly make a difference in the world.”
McClendon’s message of sacrifice and serving with love deeply moved everyone in the audience.
Following the award presentation, guests enjoyed a complimentary meal and a screening of The Six Triple Eight.
The honoring was a part of LFT Fiber’s larger ongoing commitment to honoring the local community and appreciating its rich history.
Madison Communications
Teacher of the Year
Madison Communications proudly hosted the 20th Annual Teacher of the Year Awards Contest, a long-standing community initiative that celebrates outstanding educators in our service area. As a local provider of internet, TV, and phone services, we are deeply committed to supporting our schools and giving back to the communities we serve.
Each March, we open the nomination phase, encouraging students, parents, and community members to recognize exceptional teachers. In April, the voting phase is held on our website, allowing the community to show support and help select the winners through voting. Every nominated teacher receives a custom certificate and a “Teacher of the Year” cookie to honor their efforts.
This year, the top five teachers were awarded in honor of it being our 20th year! They each received:
- $500 to go towards classroom advancements
- A custom engraved glass book trophy
- A classroom pizza party to celebrate with their students
Our Teacher of the Year program not only provides tangible resources for educators but also fosters a sense of appreciation and pride throughout our schools. It’s a meaningful way for Madison Communications to say thank you to the teachers who make a lasting impact every day. This program continues to grow as a beloved tradition in our local communities!
Vote for the 2024 Community Champions Award
Our ACA Connects Members are an important part of their communities. In addition to delivering reliable and affordable video and broadband services, they often lead initiatives that provide a helping hand to their neighbors and friends.
From volunteering at food banks to organizing clothing drives to donating school supplies to local children, our Members and their employees are engaged and committed to the well-being of their customers in the areas where they live and work.
For 2024, we have 10 nominations. Please vote for the community service project you would like to receive the $2,500 award to continue their efforts. To view details on each project, scroll down further on this page. Voting will begin September 25 and continue through October 30 at 5 p.m. ET, and the winner will be announced in early November.
2024 Community Champions Contest Winner
2024 Winner
2023 Winner
2022 Winner
ICN Issue 14
NEW!
Our new issue of Independent Communications News (ICN) is out!
Don’t miss the latest on how ACA Connects is advocating for small, independent, and rural providers who are leading the way to close the digital divide.
This fall issue of ICN features a number of ACA Connects members who are making a difference in their communities. Check it out!