TDS donates $65,000 to 5 food banks in local service areas

TDS Telecommunications has donated $65,000 to five food pantries that serve our regional areas.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin has received a $25,000 donation, while Second Harvest East Tennessee in Knoxville, The Giving Plate in Bend, Oregon, The Utah Food Bank in St. George, Utah, and The Mooresville/Lake Norman Christian Mission in Mooresville, North Carolina have all received $10,000 each.

“The call to help has never been greater and TDS wants to do what we can to feed America now by giving back to the communities we serve,” said TDS President and CEO Jim Butman. “Food banks across the country are seeing huge increases in demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and, TDS wants to help those organizations who are serving those in need.”

Monetary donations are used to purchase food products in bulk or at wholesale prices, which provides more meals.

EZ Office Products Adapts Business Operations to COVID-19 Pandemic; Also Provides Employees Options to be Paid for Community Involvement

Madison, WI – April 14, 2020 – EZ Office Products (EZOP), the only independent office supply company serving businesses throughout the Greater Madison area, has announced that it has shifted its operations to meet the needs of today’s business customers.

To accommodate the rapidly growing number of business people who are now utilizing home offices instead of working from commercial office space, EZOP is making deliveries to residential addresses and will continue to do so for as long as these temporary working conditions are in place. There is a possibility it might become part of the company’s “new normal”. As a business-to-business company, this is the first time EZOP has delivered products to residential homes.

Read more here.

Donated iPads from WPS help students continue education at home

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli, Director of Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

Donated iPads from WPS help students continue education at home

MADISON, Wis.—April 13, 2020—WPS Health Solutions recently donated 15 Apple iPad tablets with the help of John Matthews, a member of the WPS Board of Directors and former Executive Director of Madison Teachers Inc.

The iPads were given to the Beaver Dam Unified School District, Madison Metropolitan School District, and the Foundation of Madison Public Schools.

The devices then were distributed to students who are in need of learning technology at home.

“WPS’ donation is crucial to the continuing education of children because of schools being closed for several months given the coronavirus pandemic,” Matthews said. 

He was concerned that some families didn’t have the means to own a computer or a tablet device. He asked WPS about the availability of used iPads that could be donated, and the Information Technology team provided 15 devices.

“All parties are not only appreciative, but excited,” Matthews said. “Because of the pandemic, many teachers are attempting to stay in contact with their students electronically, and actually teach using electronic devices. Thus, the importance that all children be able to take advantage of their teacher’s efforts.”

“Providing technology and the resources needed for children to continue their education from home is a small act that WPS can do to make a large and lasting impact in our WPS communities,” said WPS Chief Technology Officer Sandi Gardner.

Kelly Kuenzi, a teacher in Beaver Dam, was thrilled that her school was one of the recipients. “I have delivered six of the iPads and I can’t even describe in words how rewarding it has been,” she said. “Every family has been so appreciative and amazed that they get to keep this iPad. I feel a little guilty being able to see the receiving end when I didn’t do anything but deliver it.”

Kuenzi shared a text from one of the parents: “I wanted to thank you and whoever donated. Please thank them for us. She already did a lesson and is on her next one.”

About WPS Health Solutions

WPS Health Solutions is a nationally regarded government contractor and a leading Wisconsin not-for-profit health insurer. The WPS Health Insurance division offers affordable health plans and benefits administration. The WPS Government Health Administrators division administers Part A and B Medicare benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS Military and Veterans Health division serves millions more members who are active in the U.S. military, veterans, and their families. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions) has been based in Madison, Wis., for more than 70 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

Hotel Indigo Madison: Clean, Quiet Working/Sleeping Accommodations

Hello All! The Hotel Indigo Madison is still open and accepting reservations. We are happy to provide accommodations to those essential workers who are uneasy to go home or are looking for a comfortable place to work or self-quarantine during these uncertain times we find ourselves in. Let us be your home away from home and collect IHG Reward Points while you are here! Complimentary grab and go bagged breakfast and our Market with local snacks is still open along with several delivery options nearby. Call to arrange your reservation 608.256.0061

Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra reschedules Concerts on the Square for July 28 kickoff

For Immediate Release

Media contact:

Jake Miller, 608-957-4797, jake@hellosundaypaper.com

Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra reschedules Concerts on the Square for July 28 kickoff

Online concerts, #coucherto social series to continue during stay-at-home order

MADISON – The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra (WCO) is delaying the start of its free summer series, Concerts on the Square, by five weeks given the expected need to continue to prevent large social gatherings in coming months.

The first Concerts on the Square performance is now scheduled for 6 p.m., Tuesday, July 28. All Concerts on the Square this summer will start at 6 p.m. Tuesday rather than 7 p.m., Wednesday. For an up-to-date schedule, visit wcoconcerts.org.

The free concert series, a staple of Madison summers, plans to retain all six performances, running from July 28 to Sept. 1.The WCO moved the series to Tuesday for scheduling needs and to avoid interrupting other local performances in late summer. To keep up-to-date with performance schedules, community members can sign up for email updates on the WCO website or follow the orchestra on Facebook and Instagram.

“The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra is alive and well – and there is nothing more we want than to perform for our community during these uncertain times,” said Joe Loehnis, CEO of the WCO. “At the same time, we want to be responsible and mindful of community safety. In that light, we believe the best thing to do is to push the start of Concerts on the Square into late July.”

#Coucherto: WCO musicians performing online

The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra is home to some of the most talented, creative musicians in the world, so it’s no surprise they’re reaching for their instruments during the stay-at-home order.

Sharing solo performances from their homes as part of the WCO’s #coucherto series, orchestra members are delivering music – and messages – for everyone to enjoy while stuck on their sofas.

“Our musicians are the backbone – the lifeblood – of the WCO, and we couldn’t just sit back and not perform,” Loehnis said. “I firmly believe music makes everything better and if we can provide a bright spot for our community right now we’re going to jump at the opportunity.”

The #coucherto series is available on the WCO’s Facebook, Instagram and website pages. Additionally, the WCO will share previously recorded concerts during the order.

Musician Relief Fund is live

With live performances delayed, the WCO remains committed to helping its musicians.

Through its newly created Musicians Relief Fund, the orchestra has raised more than $10,000 to help pay its musicians during this time. The WCO is working on several fronts to ensure its artists receive financial support.

“Our musicians aren’t just wonderful artists, they’re wonderful people. They’re our friends. They have families. And it’s vital as an organization we support them at all times,” said Maestro Andrew Sewell, who is in his 20^th year as WCO Music Director. “The music will go on. But first and foremost, we need to do everything we can to help our musicians.”

To donate, visit wcoconcerts.org/donate.

About the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra

Founded in 1960, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra (WCO) is one of the elite chamber ensembles in the United States and is dedicated to advancing Wisconsin communities through the transformative power of music. Under the direction of Maestro Andrew Sewell, WCO leverages the unique characteristics of chamber music to bring a wide variety of repertoire to audiences in settings that range from the formality of the concert hall to the intimacy of smaller community venues and the open accessibility of parks and other public spaces. Through collaborations with regional performing arts groups and touring performances, the WCO extends its artistic programming to broader audiences and communities across Dane, Columbia, Jefferson, Waukesha, and Sauk counties.

The WCO is nationally known for its summer series Concerts on the Square®, drawing 200,000 patrons annually to downtown Madison. Via its annual education programs, including the bi-annual Side-by-Side concert with the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra, WCO provides artistic development opportunities for young musicians.

To learn more about the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra visit wcoconcerts.org.