On Dec. 5 BECU announced the winners of its 2017 People Helping People Awards.
At a ceremony, 18 nonprofits received awards ranging from $15,000 to $50,000, according to a media release.
Since 2013, BECU has donated $970,000 to local charities through this program.
“The remarkable work these organizations accomplish in our communities is as inspiring as it is impactful,” said Tom Berquist, senior vice president of Marketing and Cooperative Affairs, in the release. “These awards support and celebrate the causes our members are most passionate about. For BECU, People Helping People is more than just a phrase; it’s part of our mission, part of our culture and how we show up for our members.”
More than 230 BECU members nominated their favorite and local nonprofits.
BECU’s 2017 People Helping People Award recipients include:
Member Volunteer of the Year Award ($50,000): Open Doors for Multicultural Families supports diverse families with members who have developmental or intellectual disabilities by providing information and programming that is both in their own language and culturally relevant.
People’s Choice Award ($30,000): First Washington is selected by popular vote amongst members on BECU.org. This organization is engaging today’s tech-native youth by providing them with a personal network and inspiring them to become the STEM leaders of tomorrow through education, hard work, mentorship and healthy competition.
Employee’s Choice Award ($30,000): Friends of the Children – Seattle is selected by popular vote amongst BECU employees. The non-profit is focused on breaking the cycle of generational poverty, providing caring, professional and salaried mentors to work with kids beginning in kindergarten through their completion of high school.
Past Recipient’s Choice Award ($30,000): Outdoors for All Foundation is selected by popular vote amongst past People Helping People award recipients. This non-profit enriches the lives of children and adults with disabilities through adaptive and therapeutic outdoor recreation.
Community Benefit Awards ($15,000):
• Bike Works
• EvergreenHealth Foundation
• Homestead Community Land Trust
• Kal Academy
• Literacy Source
• Master Gardener Foundation of Spokane County
• Raven Rock Ranch
• Rotary First Harvest
• Scarlet Road
• St. Stephen Housing Association
• The Goodtimes Project
• Turning Point Seattle
• Urban ArtWorks
• Yoga Behind Bars
Aside from these 2017 winners, BECU also granted $3,000 to past recipients for a total of $153,000, the release stated.
