Community Partner Awards – Outstanding Business Partner – Delta Defense
Each year we select a business that has supported BBBS in a significant way for multiple years or multiple events. This business started out with a sponsorship of Bowl for Kids for two years, and this year invested in our new Golf marathon with faith that this crazy idea could work, sponsoring both the event and one of the golfers, and still continued to support Bowl For Kids this year. It is a business that supports not just BBBS but can be seen supporting many organizations and causes across the county. Their commitment to children and families throughout the area is exceptional and has earned Delta Defense the Outstanding Business Partner award. Accepting the award for Delta is Tonnie Schmidt.
New Business Partner – Kettle Hills Golf Course
While we appreciate the ongoing support of businesses like Delta, we continue to grow by having new partners contribute their support. When we considered the idea of the Golf Marathon, there were those who thought we were crazy. But obviously not everyone thought it was crazy because 20 brave golfers came out to try it. But the other person, or group, with faith in this crazy idea was Dwight Zimmerman and the folks at Kettle Hills Golf Course. Without a Golf Course willing to commit 18 holes to the event for the whole day and evening, the event would never have happened.
Kettle Hills donated the use of the course for the day solely for our golfers. They were wonderful partners in running this event for the first time and figuring out what to do as we went along – starting with what to do when it rains all night and several holes are under water . . . . they were accommodating, enthusiastic and supportive. For helping us score a hole in one the first time out with a new event, we present Kettle Hills Golf Course with the new Business Partner of the Year award. Accepting it will be Nick Tarasoff, the golf pro and manager at Kettle Hills.
Friend of the Agency – Curt Stockhausen
Our last award is our Friend of the Agency award for the year. This is given to an organization or an individual with commitment to supporting the program. As much as we enjoy seeing current matches active together, we frequently get to hear stories of past matches, often still in contact with each other. Such was the day that a local gentleman stopped in the office and told us how he was once a big brother.
He remembered the difficulty finding free activities to do, especially in winter and offered to sponsor activities at Sunburst and then continue to work with us to find other creative ways to support our valuable volunteers. Our volunteers are really the heart and soul of the program and someone wanting to directly impact them is a true friend of the agency. Our Friend of the Agency award and our sincere appreciation goes to Curt Stockhausen.