Heritage Center honored at fifth annual ONE Awards
Andi Holland
(580) 237-1907 x223
04/20/12
Enid, OK
For Immediate Release
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center was named a finalist in the Arts & Humanities category for the Barnett Family Foundation and the Moran Family Foundation Award at the fifth annual Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards in Tulsa held on April 14. In total, eight agencies were named winners of their unique category of service, and 16 received finalist awards. Oklahoma FFA Foundation was named the overall winner of the event and was awarded the $10,000 Charles Schusterman Award for Excellence. In total, nearly $150,000 was awarded to 24 of the state's top nonprofits.
The ONE Awards, hosted annually by the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, is a celebratory event that honors nonprofits throughout the state for serving and inspiring their communities.
Paula Huck, event chair of the 2012 ONE Awards, praised the work of this year's finalists.
"The 24 finalists honored this evening continually help to educate, enrich and encourage Oklahomans every day," Huck said. "Their commitment to excellence has set them apart."
The Cherokee Strip Reigonal Heritage Center in Enid is the first regional heritage center in the State of Oklahoma. The Heritage Center tells the story of the 1893 Land Run, the largest land run in American history, and the development of Northwest Oklahoma.
Dr. David Russell, Chairman of the Board of the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center said, "It is quite an honor for the Heritage Center to be recognized as a leading non-profit in the state. The Heritage Center's motto is to Claim our Past and Inspire our Future. This award affirms that our organization is taking the right steps to accomplish those goals.
Dr. David Russell, Chairman and Andi Holland, Director, accepted the award on behalf of the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center. The organization was also awarded a $5,000 monetary gift.
Joe Moran, Board Chair of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, commended the winners and finalists.
"Our board understands the hard work and dedication of this year's finalists," Moran said. "We work directly with our nonprofits, which is why we are here to celebrate those accomplishments. Our board believes these organizations are most deserving of this recognition, and we are proud to honor them."
Finalists for the ONE Awards are nominated and selected by a Commission chaired by J. Jerry Dickman of Tulsa. The Commission comprises community leaders from throughout the state and meets annually to identify and reward nonprofits that exhibit excellence in service.
The Commissioners include: Michael Cawley, Ardmore; Nance Diamond, Shawnee; Frederick Drummond, Pawhuska; Ken Fergeson, Altus; R.H. Harbaugh, Tulsa; Kim Henry, Oklahoma City; David Hogan, Tulsa; Phil Lakin, Tulsa; Frank Merrick, Oklahoma City; Polly Nichols, Oklahoma City; and the Rev. George Young, Oklahoma City.
"Our Commission nominated each finalist based on their overall impact and organizational accountability," Huck said. "We are all very proud of the work of each nonprofit honored at the ONE Awards."
Of nonprofits nominated from across the state, 24 were selected as finalists in one of eight categories of service. The winners in each category received $7,500, and the two other finalists received $5,000.
COMPLETE LIST OF ONE AWARDS WINNERS:
The Barnett Family Foundation & Moran Family Foundation Award: Arts and Humanities
Finalists: Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Inc.; Oklahoma City Philharmonic
Winner: Tulsa Ballet
Devon Energy Award: Community
Finalists: Bridges; Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma
Winner: The Homeless Alliance, Inc.
H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Charitable Foundations Award: Education
Finalists: Oklahoma City Community College Foundation; Tulsa Community College Foundation
Winner: Street School, Inc.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma & Potts Family Foundation Award: Health Services
Finalists: Emergency Infant Services, Inc.; Oklahoma Project Woman
Winner: Hearts for Hearing
George Kaiser Family Foundation Award: Self-Sufficiency
Finalists: Christian Helping Hands; Southwestern Youth Services, Inc.
Winner: Family Promise of Lawton
Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation & Herman Kaiser Foundation Award: Seniors
Finalists: Metropolitan Better Living Center, Inc. (MBLC); OASIS Adult Day Services
Winner: Dentists for the Disabled and Elderly in Need of Treatment, Inc. (D-DENT)
Hardesty Family Foundation, Inc. Award: Sports and Recreation
Finalists: The Miracle League of Edmond; Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation
Winner: Life Change Academy dba Life Change Ballroom
Chesapeake Energy Corporation Award: Youth Development
Finalists: Calm Waters Center for Children and Families; Crosstown Learning Center, Inc.
Winner: Oklahoma FFA Foundation
