Beacon Award Finalists Named

Originally posted in The Journal Record.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Journal Record will honor 33 organizations for their contributions to the community at the 11th annual Beacon Awards on July 12.

From providing gifts for the state’s foster children during the holidays to replacing windows in a home and even helping area families achieve homeownership, this year’s group of Journal Record Beacon Award honorees give back to the community in a variety of ways.

The awards luncheon to honor these businesses and organizations will be held at Embassy Suites Oklahoma City Downtown/Medical Center. Registration and networking begins at 11 a.m., with the luncheon starting at 11:30 a.m.

“We applaud our fellow Oklahoma business leaders who give their time and their money to the state’s charities,” said Ted Streuli, associate publisher and editor of The Journal Record. “Others create a workplace culture that encourages volunteerism and community support. All of that should be celebrated; without it, many of our fellow Oklahomans would face even greater challenges.”

Beacon honorees will be recognized in large, medium and small divisions in two categories – charitable influence and philanthropic impact. Fourteen organizations will also be recognized in the nonprofits serving nonprofits category. All of the honorees will be featured in the Beacon Awards magazine and recognized at the event, where overall winners will also be announced. The overall winners in each category will receive a donation for the nonprofit they support.

First Fidelity Bank is presenting sponsor for the event. The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits is an event partner.

“Again this year we are proud to recognize Oklahoma businesses who generously make valuable contributions to our communities, positively impacting Oklahomans’ lives,” said Lee R. Symcox, CEO of First Fidelity Bank. “These businesses exemplify the Oklahoma Standard, making this a great place to live and do business.”

Individual tickets are available for $75. Corporate tables and sponsorships are still available. For more information or to make reservations, contact Brittany Attaway at battaway@journalrecord.com or 405-278-2820.

Charitable influence finalists

Organizations in the charitable influence category demonstrate a company culture that encourages and supports volunteerism, charitable giving and community involvement by its members.
Large business subcategory finalists include (500-plus employees):

  • OG&E
  • OU Medicine

Medium business subcategory finalists include (51-499 employees):

  • Homes by Taber
  • Polston Tax Resolution & Accounting
  • Stingray Pressure Pumping
  • Weokie Federal Credit Union

Small business subcategory finalists include (50 or fewer employees):

  • amshot
  • Freestyle Creative
  • Luxa Enterprises
  • Manscape & Massage Clinic
  • Pinnacle Business Systems
  • Quapaw Cattle Co., an Entity of The Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma
  • REES
  • SDG Architects

Philanthropic impact finalists

Those recognized in the philanthropic impact category have made a significant charitable contribution to a nonprofit organization working to meet specific needs in the community.
Large business subcategory finalists include (500-plus employees):

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma
  • Kimray Inc.
  • McAlester Regional Health Center

Small business subcategory finalists include (50 or fewer employees):

  • Jessica P. Max-The Max Insurance Agency-Allstate Insurance Co.
  • The Womble Co.

Nonprofits serving nonprofits

Large category:

  • Dale Rogers Training Center
  • Feed the Children
  • Tinker Federal Credit Union

Medium category:

  • Concordia Life Care Community
  • Junior League of Oklahoma City
  • LifeShare of Oklahoma

Small category:

  • A Chance to Change
  • A Twist of Fate-ATS
  • The American Red Cross
  • Central Baptist Church
  • ESCCO
  • Impact Oklahoma
  • Operation C.A.R.E. Ministries Inc.
  • Our Community Cares Coalition