At the 21st Annual BBB Torch Awards for Ethics, the Better Business Bureau serving Pacific Southwest recognized four San Diego companies among its winners, as well as two for the BBB Environmental Stewardship Program, the latter of which recognizes businesses committed to green initiatives. In addition, five high school students received scholarships for their essays on “The Importance of Ethics and Integrity in Our Community.” The celebration also helped raise $30,000 for BBB programs.
The 2018 San Diego Torch Awards for Ethics winners, categorized by size are: Countywide Mortgage Lending, Marrokal Design & Remodeling, Ideal Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, and AimLoan.com. The 2018 Environmental Stewardship Program winners are: Endemic Environmental Services, Inc., Center for Sustainable Energy, and Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve.
BBB Torch Awards for Ethics Recognizes Upstanding Local Companies and Kids
Kids’ Turn San Diego’s Hug-A-Bug Opportunity Drawing
Kids’ Turn San Diego concluded its successful Hug-A-Bug Opportunity Drawing by awarding contest winner Jane Jonas with a 1974 Volkswagen Superbeetle. The retired kindergarten teacher, who helped raise funds for kids coping with family separations, had always wanted a VW Bug. Long-time Kids’ Turn San Diego Advisory Board Member, Stan Sewitch donated the car.
“The cycle of family disintegration has got to stop somewhere, and it has to start with a focus on the kids, not the parents,” Sewitch says. “That’s why I support Kids’ Turn San Diego. It’s the only program I’ve ever seen that does just that, to ensure that there’s a good chance the kids who suffer through the discord and trauma of their parents don’t end up repeating the cycle of family dissolution.”
In 2018, Kids’ Turn programs focused on 519 children in separated, divorced and military families. Family members learned to work on their relationships so the kids can lead happier, more positive lives. Raved eight-year-old Charlie, “Thanks to this program, I told my mom and dad that I really wanted them to pay attention to me. They used to give all their attention to their cell phones. Now, they pay attention to me! We’re playing games and watching movies. I’m so happy they are paying attention to me!”
This past November and December, employees and customers of San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU®) donated nearly $3,500 and more than 2,100 toys for the annual Holiday Toy Drive benefiting Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego and Children’s Hospital of Orange County.
BBB Torch Awards for Ethics Recognizes Upstanding Local Companies and Kids
High school recipients of the BBB Torch Award for Ethics Essay were Kasra Lekan of University High School (first place), Nicholas Meshkin of Serra Catholic High School (second place), Sahana Kumar (third place) and Neusha Kharrati (fourth place) of Francis Parker High School, and Brianna Rios of Irvine High School (fifth place).
