Consolidated Telcom: helping the community it serves.

NTCA member companies have a long history of helping out their communities--often going well beyond the expected service of a local telephone company. Take the case of Consolidated Telcom in Dickinson, N.D.

One of the most unique things the company does is partner on a fund-raising event with the Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Center (DVRCC), a safe haven in the community since 1979 that provides confidential support services and shelter to abuse victims and homeless families in southwestern North Dakota.

Three years ago, the DVRCC fund-raising committee set out on a mission to highlight this important organization. The committee decided to host an annual Prom & Party Dress Sale. The event gives the community the opportunity to donate slightly worn prom dresses or formalwear that the organization can then sell at its big event for $25-$40, according to Rhonda Dukart, marketing and public relations manager of Consolidated Telcom, who also chairs the committee.

"Families that cannot or decide not to spend $300 to $400 on a prom dress can purchase a slightly worn one for no more than $40," she said. "We have a big charity ball in our community as a fund-raiser for the hospital and a big formal ball, which is a fund-raiser for our university. Many ladies will ...