WEDU PBS announced today the finalists for the 2019 WEDU Be More Awards. The fourteenth annual WEDU Be More Awards will take place on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at the Bryan Glazer JCC in Tampa. The annual community event will begin at 11:00 a.m. with the Hall of Heroes followed by an inspiring luncheon and awards ceremony starting at 12:00 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.wedu.org/bemore.
Utilizing a panel of impartial judges who spent weeks reviewing applications and nominations, WEDU, West Central Florida’s PBS station, will recognize nonprofit organizations and individuals who applied or were nominated for honors in a variety of categories ‐ culminating with one organization being named the WEDU Be More Unstoppable, Nonprofit Organization of the Year (2018).
The WEDU Be More Awards was created by WEDU PBS to help raise awareness for local nonprofits and their service to West Central Florida. Annually, the program helps introduce new donors, volunteers, and those in need of services to the worthy nonprofit organizations. The finalists include:
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Dupont Registry Tampa Bay Special Events Award | This award recognizes the uniqueness and effectiveness of a special event and the success in achieving outlined objectives. Examples may include: A related series of events, single original event, or fundraiser to recognize, salute, assist, celebrate people or businesses, brand your organization and/or build/strengthen relationships with supporters.
Brothers United Building Alliance, Inc.
Children’s Cancer Center
Julie Weintraub’s Hands Across the Bay
RCS Pinellas
The Florida Orchestra
Wheelchair 4 Kids
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Innovation Award | This award recognizes initiatives, projects, and/or services that are unique, creative, or innovative and will be presented to the organization responsible for the development, coordination, delivery, and results of the project. Examples may include: Resourcefulness when challenged with a limited budget; superior utilization of collaborative community partnerships; or ingenious staffing options by mobilizing members and/or volunteer support.
Community Food Pantry
Crisis Center of Tampa Bay
Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, Inc.
K9 Partners for Patriots
Tampa Theatre
The Arc Tampa Bay Foundation
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Bank of Tampa Educational Outreach Award | This award will recognize the organization that through a specific project offered guidance, knowledge, emotional or physical support, and/or a mentorship program aimed at improving specific aspects of community life. The project should introduce and/or conducting programs to enrich and empower the community. Examples may include: Outreach or educational programs that effectively raised awareness or brought a new audience to an organization or cause.
Children First, Inc.
Embracing Our Difference (Coexistence, Inc.)
Girl Scouts of West Central Florida
Pace Center for Girls
Ready for Life, Inc.
The Junior League of Tampa
University of South Florida College of Education
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Nielsen Marketing Campaign Award | This award recognizes the execution of creative and results-driven original marketing campaigns using multimedia platforms including, but not limited to, broadcast, print, social media and/or grassroots awareness campaigns. The applicant should demonstrate direct impact to established goals. Examples may include: A support element or collection of elements developed to promote, publicize, introduce, or create an identity or brand for a specific organization, service, program, or idea.
League of Women Voters of St. Petersburg Area
The Arc Tampa Bay Foundation
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Greenberg Traurig Arts & Culture Award | This award recognizes culturally-based organizations that contribute to the spirit of adventure and exploration through education in the arts and culture by creating an exciting and engaging museum experience to visitors. Examples may include: Programs or experiences related to the arts, performance, historic, or zoological; programs that provide cultural experiences to audiences who might not otherwise have opportunities to witness or be an active participant.
American Stage
Pyramid
Warehouse Arts District
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Ultimate Medical Academy Small Nonprofit Award | This award will recognize the small nonprofit that best demonstrates the truth in statement that “big things come in small packages.” This award will recognize organizations with a budget under $500,000 and despite its modest size, has a major positive impact on our community. The top candidates have achieved the most votes via an online poll during the voting period will be further researched by an impartial judging panel to decide the ultimate winner.
Family Promise of Hillsborough County
FOOT Foundation
GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa
MEOW Now
Water Smart Tots, Inc.
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Mason Dixon Award for Volunteerism | One person can make an extraordinary difference. These award finalists were culled from an online poll driven by votes from the general public in the WEDU viewing area. Local radio personality and philanthropist, Mason Dixon, will ultimately choose and present the award to the most-deserving recipient from nominees that receive the most online support during the voting period.
Cindy Grant
Deborah Humphrey
Delta Sigma Theta
Dino & Lisa Scanio
Julie Weintraub
Sydney Merritt
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ABC Action News Positively Tampa Bay Award | This honor will be bestowed upon an individual or group of people whose simple act of kindness made a tremendous impact on someone’s life. The winner will be selected based on the selfless giving of time, treasure or talents. Nominees and finalists will be selected by ABC Action News. The semi-finalists and ultimate winner will be chosen by ABC Action News’ Positively Tampa Bay and The Ryan Nece Foundation – the inspiration for this award.
Austin Azzarelli
Camden Grant
Delwyn Collins
Mike Hale
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Judges’ Choice Award | The Judges’ Choice Award is given to an organization demonstrating an overall appeal due to its original and extraordinary approach to its respective. Not necessarily driven by an organization’s measurable results, this award is decided entirely by the WEDU Be More Award judges based on majority vote and consensus.
Academy Prep Centers of Education
Arts Conservatory for Teens
Hispanic Services Council
St. Petersburg Free Clinic
Starting Right, Now
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Nonprofit of the Year Award | This award is the most coveted and is determined through extensive research. It is ultimately decided by an independent judging committee and given to one organization that, through a superior level of service, helps their constituency be more. Selected from all submitted applications, the criteria to win this award consists of overall organizational excellence; fulfillment of the Four Commitments to the Community, including service to the organizations’ constituency, level of community impact, financial viability and embodiment of overall community goodwill. In addition to many other benefits, the organization recognized with this award receives a $2,500 WEDU Community Investment Grant.
Children First, Inc.
Crisis Center of Tampa Bay
Brothers United Building Brothers Alliance, Inc.
Julie Weintraub’s Hands Across the Bay
Pace Center for Girls
Warehouse Arts District