On Saturday, April 20 the Little Light House was honored to receive the title “Oklahoma’s Top Nonprofit” at the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards. The ONE Awards Program annually honors the outstanding work of Oklahoma nonprofits. The Little Light House was nominated in the category of Health Services, sponsored by the Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation and the Herman Kaiser Foundation, and was announced the winner for their category. Later the LLH was announced as the Top Nonprofit in the state, winning the Charles Schusterman Award for Excellence. Marcia Mitchell, Founder and CEO, and Jean Winfrey, Executive Director, were there to accept this outstanding honor.
The Little Light House is honored to be named Oklahoma’s Top Nonprofit
Out of 19,000 nonprofits in the state of Oklahoma, 24 organizations are nominated by the ONE Awards Selection Committee in eight categories: Arts and Humanities, Community, Education, Health Services, Self-Sufficiency, Seniors, Sports and Recreation and Youth Development. All 24 nonprofits receive a $5,000 prize, and category winners receive $7,500. The overall winner receives a grand prize of $10,000, sponsored by the Charles Schusterman Foundation.
“We are so thankful to the Schusterman Foundation for sponsoring the award. We are thrilled to receive this prize money for the Little Light House. With tuition-free services, every dollar makes a huge difference in the lives of our students,” said Molly Smith, Director of Development at the Little Light House.
Jean Winfrey, Executive Director, was excited about what this award might mean for the waiting list children. “With approximately 140 children awaiting services at the Little Light House, we believe this award will assist us in gaining further attention for our building expansion project and our Capital Campaign, Building Brighter Tomorrows for Children with Special Needs. The sooner we are able to break ground and begin construction, the sooner these precious children can receive the early intervention they so deserve.”
Phil Lakin, Jr., a ONE Awards Selection Commissioner and CEO of the Tulsa Community Foundation, said the award for The Little Light House was well deserved. “This organization does so much to help Oklahoma’s most precious and vulnerable children,” Lakin said. “I am honored that The Little Light House is the winner of the Charles Schusterman Award for Excellence, and I know their staff and board will be proud of this special distinction.”
This is the sixth year for the ONE Awards. Past overall winners have included the Oklahoma FFA Foundation, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Mental Health Association in Tulsa, Oklahoma Blood Institute and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. The Little Light House is honored to join these organizations as the recipient of this award.
