Be More Awards™

— Arizona children, veterans, women, disadvantaged, arts community offered much-needed assistance from community organizations —

Phoenix, Ariz. – May 27, 2011 — Winners of Eight’s fourth annual Be More Awards™ were announced yesterday at the Eight, Arizona PBS studios in downtown Phoenix, according to Eight’s General Manager Kelly McCullough. The event honors the outstanding achievements of Arizona’s nonprofit organizations. Nearly 200 were in attendance.

Award categories ranged from outstanding marketing initiatives, exceptional educational outreach, innovative organization endeavors, extraordinary fundraising and event efforts, and commitment to arts and cultural awareness. 

“Year after year it is inspiring to see the dedication and enthusiasm of our state’s nonprofits. Rather than be discouraged by the challenges in our community, they choose to find ways to improve and grow. We at Eight feel honored to be able to shine the spotlight on such deserving organizations,” said McCullough.

The award winners will be profiled on Eight’s Be More Awards television special airing

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. on Eight HD.

The awards presented were:

BE MORE…BRILLIANT
Outstanding Achievement in Innovation

Presented by The Phoenix Philanthropy Group
Winner: Fresh Start Women’s Foundation Fresh Start Women's Foundation empowers women to transform their lives through engagement and education. 

Web site: http://www.wehelpwomen.com

-more- BE MORE AWARDS™ P. 2

BE MORE…ENTERTAININGOutstanding Achievement in Special Events

Winner: 100 Club in Arizona 100 Club of Arizona is dedicated to standing behind the men and women who stand behind the badge. The mission of the 100 Club is to provide immediate financial assistance to the families of seriously injured and fallen public safety officers and firefighters, and to provide resources to enhance their safety and welfare. 

Web site: http://www.100club.org

BE MORE…KNOWLEDGEABLE

Outstanding Achievement in Educational Outreach
Winner: Arizona Humanities Council Arizona Humanities Council (AHC) offers and funds diverse humanities programs in communities throughout Arizona. AHC works with museums, libraries, schools, and other cultural and educational organizations to bring humanities programs to the public. Web site: http://www.azhumanities.org

BE MORE…INFORMED

Outstanding Achievement in Marketing
Winner: Neighborhood Housing Services of Phoenix Neighborhood Housing Services of Phoenix is dedicated to the revitalization of Phoenix neighborhoods by providing a full range of programs and services that encourage, create and support homeownership. 

Web site: http://www.nhsphoenix.org

BE MORE…CREATIVE
Outstanding Achievement in Arts & Culture
Presented by Wells Fargo
Winner: Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts
Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts is dedicated to educating and enhancing the lives of diverse communities in Wickenburg and the West Valley through the presentation of music, dance and theatre.
Web site: http://www.delewebbcenter.org

BE MORE…HUMBLE
The People's Choice Award
Presented by UPS
Winner: Veteran Tickets
Veteran Tickets Foundation allows people to give, without prejudice, free tickets to all veterans, active duty military and their families as a way of saying “thank you” for their service.
Web site: http://www.vettix.org

BE MORE…ENCOURAGED
The Judges' Choice Award
Presented by UPS
Winner: Pioneer Living History Museum
The Pioneer Living History Museum mission is to put together a true to life, three dimensional educational facility of  both original and historically accurate replica examples of buildings, tools, equipment and clothing of the Arizona territory from 1863 to Statehood in 1912.
Web site: http://www.pioneeraz.org

The awards event also included a Hall of Heroes, giving each of the finalists an opportunity to showcase their organization.  Exhibits included: 100 Club of Arizona, Alliance for Audience, Arizona Humanities Council, Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, Esperanca, Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, Friends of Music Committee, Gabriel’s Angels, Honor Flight Network, ICAN: Positive Programs for Chandler’s Youth, MISS Foundation, Neighborhood Housing Services of Phoenix, PACC 911, Parents of Murdered Children, Phoenix Women’s Sports Association, Pioneer Living History Museum, Valley Forward Association, Valley Leadership, Veteran Tickets Foundation and Youth Empowerment Services of Dine’Bikeyah.

Applications for the Be More Awards™ were evaluated by an independent panel of 15 impartial judges ranging from community volunteers to business leaders from throughout the Apache, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Yavapai, and Yuma area.

Media Contact:  Colleen O’Donnell Pierce
[email protected]
(602) 496-0579
(602) 478-3867 (cell)
Visit azpbs.org/pressroom

About Arizona PBS

Arizona PBS is a trusted community resource.  For over 52 years, the PBS station has focused on educating children, reporting in-depth on public affairs, fostering lifelong learning and celebrating arts and culture. Arizona PBS achieves its mission through the power of non-commercial television, the Internet, educational outreach and community-based initiatives. Its signal reaches 80 percent of the homes in Arizona. With more than 1 million viewers weekly, Arizona PBS consistently ranks among the most-viewed public television stations per capita in the country. For more information, visit azpbs.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest or Tumblr.

Arizona PBS is a member-supported community service of Arizona State University and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.