2013 WEDU Eighth Annual Be More Awards

Be More Informed

Starting Right, Now

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Marketing Campaign Award | This award recognizes the execution of creative and results-driven original marketing campaigns using multimedia platforms.

Finalists: Children First, Inc.; Children’s Board Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay

Be More Entertaining

Lazydays Employee Foundation & Stageworks Theatre

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Special Events Award | This award recognizes the uniqueness and effectiveness of a special event and the success in achieving outlined objectives.

Finalists: Are You Safe, Inc.; Heartbeat International Foundation, Inc.; Housing & Education Alliance; Pinellas PACE Center for Girls; Wheels of Success

Be More Brilliant

Children’s Board Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay

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Innovation Award | This award recognizes initiatives, projects, and/or services that are unique, creative, or innovative.

Finalists: Circle of Friends Ministry; Gulf Coast Dental Outreach; Tampa Crossroads, Inc.; Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA; The Pier Aquarium

Be More Enriched

Asolo Repertory Theatre

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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.

Finalists: Art Center of Sarasota

Be More Knowledgeable

Florida Studio Theatre, Inc.

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Educational Outreach Award | This award recognizes guidance, knowledge, emotional or physical support, and/or a mentorship program aimed at improving community life.

Finalists: CASA; Community Tampa Bay; More Health, Inc.; Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA; The Family Literacy Academy at Lake Wales

Be More Humble

Coordinated Child Care of Pinellas, Inc.

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The People’s Choice Award | This prestigious award exhibits the connection and relationship the organization has with the community and the people it serves.

Finalists: Children First, Inc.; Junior League of Tampa; Religious Community Services, Inc.; Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA; The Pier Aquarium

Be More Relevant

Big Cat Rescue

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Best Use of Video Award | This award requires entrants to submit a short video that tells a compelling story about the organization. Watch all the video submissions

Finalists: Children’s Board Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay; Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County; Enable America; Suncoast Hospice

Be More Involved

Dr. Antonio Gayoso

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The Mason Dixon Award for Volunteerism | One person can make an extraordinary difference. Mason Dixon will choose and present the award.

Finalists: Lila Mulholland; Martin Rainey; Krista Sparkman; Timmie Weisbaum; Brent White

Be More Inspiring

Hailey Scheinman

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Rising Star Award | This award will recognize an individual, under the age of 21, who has distinguished himself or herself in the community.

Finalists: Haley Greene; Devante Robinson; Jahouda Santos; Chaiara Simeoni; Chanel Torres

Be More Entrepreneurial

Alisa Savoretti

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Engaged Philanthropist Award | This award will recognize an individual who engages entrepreneurial skills to build a successful nonprofit endeavor.

Finalists: Karen Mertes; Natasha Nascimento; Harold Oehler; Ginger Willms

Be More Empowered

Winner: Music Sweet Music, Inc.

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Small Nonprofit Award | This award will recognize the small nonprofit that best demonstrates the truth in statement that “big things come in small packages.”

Finalists: Ad 2 Tampa Bay; Casey’s Cookies; LAMPLighters; OASIS Network

Be More Giving

Mario De Armas

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The Ryan Nece Foundation Power of Giving Award | This honor will be bestowed upon the individual or family who made a tremendous impact in someone’s life.

Finalists: Cpl Lonnie Bingnear & Officer Michael Jasiukiewicz; Carole Binkowski; Nurse Tammy Martin

Be More Encouraged

CASA

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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 project.

Finalists: Florida Studio Theatre, Inc.; Ruth Eckerd; Starting Right, Now; Tampa Crossroads, Inc.

Be More Unstoppable

Children’s Board Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay

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Nonprofit Organization of the Year | Selected from all submitted applications, the winner fulfills the Four Commitments to the Community, including service to the organizations’ constituency, level of community impact, financial viability and embodiment of overall community goodwill.

Finalists: Asolo Repertory Theatre; CASA; Florida Studio Theatre, Inc.; Gulf Coast Dental Outreach