2025 Community Champions Contest
America’s Communications Association (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. 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!
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.
Blue Stream Fiber
Blue Stream Fiber x Habitat for Humanity of Broward Initiative
Blue Stream Fiber is committed to strengthening the communities we serve, starting right here in our hometown of Coral Springs, FL. As part of that commitment, we’re proud to highlight our ongoing partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Broward.
Through this initiative, Blue Stream Fiber is providing free, high-speed internet to all 13 homes within a new Habitat for Humanity community on Riverside Drive in Coral Springs. Each home receives symmetrical gig-speed service, WiFi equipment, and ongoing customer support at no cost for the length of the agreement. We believe access to quality internet is a foundational need—whether for education, remote work, healthcare, or staying connected with loved ones.
But our support goes beyond connectivity. In 2024, Blue Stream Fiber team members also rolled up their sleeves and joined two Habitat build days, directly helping to construct the very homes where our services are being delivered. It was hands-on, humbling, and deeply rewarding work.
This partnership demonstrates how local broadband providers can make a meaningful impact by delivering essential services and showing up where it counts. By combining infrastructure with volunteerism, we’re helping families thrive in the community we call home.
Dalton Utilities - OptiLink
Northwest Ga Family Crisis Center Improvements
We will provide all the required resources, materials, and volunteers to facilitate a list of critically needed improvements to the Northwest Ga Family Crisis Center. Some skilled labor is also required, and will play a crucial role in enhancing the center’s facilities. Planned tasks include cleaning gutters, installing gutter guards, pressure washing exterior areas, renovating the playground and shelters, and performing general maintenance. These efforts are crucial to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment.
The Crisis Center is dedicated to ending domestic violence by providing comprehensive shelter, advocacy, and support services to victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Through community engagement and education, they work to shift the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that sustain abuse, fostering long-term change and safety. Completion of this project will promote mental well-being, foster a sense of community, and instill pride among residents, empowering them on their path to recovery.
GFiber
Digital Inclusion Fund
The Digital Inclusion Fund, a collaboration between GFiber and the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville, was established in 2018 to bridge the digital divide in Huntsville, Alabama. This initiative invests in local nonprofits, supporting programs in digital literacy, technology access, and workforce development. It empowers underserved communities, including youth, seniors, and individuals experiencing homelessness, by providing essential tools and skills for the digital world.
Since its inception, the fund has awarded over $388,000 to 26 nonprofits, implementing 43 diverse programs. In 2025 alone, $45,000 in grants were distributed to seven organizations, demonstrating the fund’s dedication to digital equity.
Notable 2025 recipients include the Boys & Girls Club of North Alabama, which received funding for a state-of-the-art computer lab, providing a safe environment for youth to develop digital skills. Huntsville City Schools benefited from a grant for a hotspot lending program, ensuring reliable internet access for low-income students. Additionally, Rose of Sharon received support for a computer lab aiding workforce re-entry, equipping individuals with the technological proficiency needed for employment. This comprehensive initiative serves as a powerful catalyst for individual empowerment and sustained economic growth in Huntsville, emphasizing the collective commitment vital for achieving genuine digital inclusion for all residents.
GVTC
The GVTC Foundation Thanksgiving Give Back Project
Each year, The GVTC Foundation partners with local food pantries and community supporters to provide traditional Thanksgiving meals to over 500 families facing financial hardship. With heartfelt collaboration, we collect food donations, assemble complete holiday meal packages at GVTC, and personally hand deliver them the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This special tradition, now in its 13th year, has brought comfort and joy to more than 3,100 families.
For those we serve, it’s more than just a meal—it’s a moment of relief, a chance to celebrate with loved ones, and a reminder that their community cares. For our volunteers and partners, it’s an opportunity to give back and connect through compassion. Together, we make Thanksgiving a day of hope and gratitude for all.
87% of GVTC Employees contribute to our foundation. GVTC matches these funds at 150%. $.98 of every dollar raised is distributed to our community.
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!
Margaretville Telephone Company
MTC Cable Strengthens Community
Our employee owners believe being part of a community means giving back, supporting each other, and celebrating together. As a 100% Employee-Owned company, each person here is invested in our neighbors’ well-being. When a local summer school program lost federal funding this year, The MTC Birdsall Project stepped in, ensuring 41 children & staff had a safe and enriching summer without burdening families financially or staff losing vital income. We sponsor local little leagues, arts groups, community events and have donated to build a community skate park to help kids thrive. In areas without cell service, MTC provides free public Wi-Fi to municipalities, keeping residents and emergency services connected. We are proud to support volunteer fire departments with upgraded communication equipment and provide internet services for libraries and community centers to improve educational access. Our employee owners are deeply woven into the region as volunteer firefighters, school board members, youth coaches, municipal leaders, economic development advocates, and board members for not-for-profit organizations. You’ll see them marching in local parades, raising funds for pediatric cancer research, coordinating coat drives, organizing Earth Day cleanups, hosting food drives, and sponsoring events like polar bear plunges to help children in need. We believe real success is measured not only by business growth but by how we empower and uplift the places we call home every single day.
Mediacom Communications
Mediacom Supports Seminole County School Supply Scramble
Mediacom partnered with the Seminole County Family Connection Collaborative to support the annual School Supply Scramble in July, an event held to ensure that children across Seminole County have the necessary tools to succeed in the classroom. The event directly assessed the needs of families living in poverty – where over 95% of students already qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program – by providing essential supplies and resources for the new school year.
Mediacom’s contribution focused on hygiene products and school supplies that were packed into backpacks distributed to students at the event. Donations included more than 1,000 body washes, 1,200 bar soaps, 600 toothbrushes, 500 toothpastes, hand sanitizers, and over 1,000 pencils. These items ensured that students not only had supplies for school, but also the personal care products vital for health and confidence.
The event also featured an offer that Mediacom is providing in Seminole County, making every household eligible for Xtream Connect, the company’s low-cost internet package. Through this collaboration, Mediacom and the Seminole County Family Connection Collaborative demonstrated their shared commitment to student well-being, family support, and educational equity – helping children start the school year prepared and confident.
Pulse Fiber Internet
Digital Navigators & Pulse Digital Equity Partnership 2025
The 2025 partnership between Digital Navigators of Larimer County and Pulse Fiber Internet has been a boon for residents of Loveland, CO. Digital Navigators provide support in building digital skills, helping community members navigate technology regardless of demographic or socioeconomic status. They offer assistance with using cell phones, computers, internet basics, social media, email, and more. Collaborating with Pulse, an award-winning community-owned broadband provider, extends the program’s reach and impact. Pulse hosts Digital Navigator appointments, making it convenient for residents to access these vital services. The partnership is mutually beneficial as it aligns with Pulse’s mission to enhance digital connectivity and support community development. “We pride ourselves on providing the most robust broadband service in the nation,” says Brieana Reed Harmel, Pulse Manager. “Partnering with Digital Navigators ensures that everyone in our community can easily and affordably become proficient in the skills necessary to benefit from our network.” Participants are provided with the skills and resources needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Erik Rock, Loveland’s Library Technology Manager notes “Access to free, one-on-one digital training helps residents improve job prospects, stay connected with loved ones, and access essential online services. This partnership exemplifies how community-focused initiatives can create a more inclusive and connected society.”
S&T
S&T Community Engagement Hours
With S&T’s Community Engagement Program, our 54 employees collectively contribute more than 1,600 hours of volunteer service each year, each dedicating at least 32 hours to supporting local communities.. Our goal is 1,600 hours each year, but in 2024, we proudly exceeded 1,800 hours across more than 60 events.
Our efforts span environmental stewardship, education, and human services. We partner with KDOT’s Adopt-a-Highway program to maintain three highway stretches and celebrate Earth Day with community cleanups. One of our most impactful commitments is Meals on Wheels, where employees deliver meals and companionship to seniors and homebound residents. We also support food banks, blood drives, school events, CASA & USDA commodities.
We award five $2,000 Rural Technology Scholarships and three $1,000 Teacher Appreciation Awards each year, strengthening education in rural Kansas. Through Acts of Kindness Week, we surprise nonprofits and service providers, including police, EMS, firefighters, libraries, and schools, with food, gift baskets, and recognition. Employees also volunteer at county fairs, operating rides and supporting youth activities that keep community traditions alive.
By combining measurable goals with hands-on service, S&T ensures lasting impact. Our program not only strengthens schools, families, and nonprofits but also fosters pride, unity, and resilience in the rural communities we serve.
Shentel
Shentel Summer Backpack Program
Shentel is proud to support a variety of needs in the communities it serves through its two annual employee-driven philanthropic programs. During the spring months, the Shentel Summer Backpack Program allows employees to contribute funds in support of nutritional needs across out footprint. In 2025, Shentel employees donated $10,850 dollars to support a variety of organizations across six states. In support, the Shentel Foundation offered to donate a match to employee contributions of up to $10,000, allowing a total contribution of $20,850. The final amount was split amongst nine recipient organizations that support nutritional needs. As part of the Summer Backpack Program, Shentel employees are also participating in seven volunteering events, with a number of the recipient organizations throughout the months of May and June. Employees will have provided approximately 350 hours of volunteer time through this initiative.
Shentel’s second yearly philanthropic program will also run a donation collection during the autumn months, called The Big Give. This program is designed to support a variety of needs in our communities for the holiday season. Program recipients will include organizations that support needs, including housing and nutrition, among others. Volunteer opportunities will also be made available for employees through this program.
TDS
TDS Telecom Most Valuable Educator Program
One of TDS Telecom’s core values is investing in our people and communities. In addition to providing essential high-speed internet services, TDS finds ways to give back to the communities we serve through sponsorships and donations to worthwhile organizations. In 2023, TDS launched an exciting program in Wisconsin to honor our educators.
TDS’ Most Valuable Educator (MVE) Award initiative celebrates educators who make significant contributions to their schools and communities, while also inspiring others to strive for excellence in education. Following a call for nominations, the award is presented at a surprise school assembly. The winner is given Green Bay Packers game tickets and is recognized during the game. The educator also receives an exclusive behind the scenes tour of Lambeau Field with their students. TDS Telecom recognizes every nominee with a certificate and gift card, which are personally delivered to the educator at their school by a local TDS associate.
The MVE initiative is part of a broader company effort to support schools, particularly STEM education. In addition to donations throughout the year, during its 2024 Week of Giving campaign, TDS contributed nearly $20,000 to support local STEM education programs.
United Communications
Fiber for Great Futures (at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Rutherford County)
United Communications is a standout nominee for the ACA Connects Community Champion Award for its deep commitment to empowering Middle Tennessee youth through a longstanding partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Rutherford County, serving 2,600 local children.
In March, United hosted a fiber splicing demonstration and unveiled a complimentary 8 Gig fiber connection at the Smyrna Boys & Girls Club, delivering the fastest internet in Rutherford County. This investment supports after-school programs in computer science, digital literacy, and homework assistance.
In November, United invested $4 million to extend 8 Gig fiber broadband across Bedford County, including zero‑cost installation and free monthly 8 Gig internet service for the Boys & Girls Club of Bedford County in Shelbyville, Tennessee. United’s support of both clubs demonstrates the company’s dedication to bridging the digital divide by providing ultra‑fast broadband speeds and 99.99 % network reliability to students, families, and local businesses.
United Communications’ efforts to support after-school programs are spearheaded by Josh Lynch, the company’s COO, who serves on the Boys & Girls Club boards and champions youth enrichment . By delivering world-class resources, nurturing educational equity, and embedding local leadership, United Communications has elevated the impact of Boys & Girls Clubs in Smyrna and Shelbyville.
2024 Winner
2023 Winner
2022 Winner
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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!
2024 Community Champions Contest Winner