OKC Beautiful hosts annual awards to honor sustainability standouts

Chamber member and community improvement organization OKC Beautiful will host its 38th Annual Distinguished Service Awards at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club on March 23. 

The awards ceremony will recognize community members and organizations working to improve the overall beauty and environmental sustainability, locally. Each year, the organization receives nominations from its Board of Directors and the public. A committee of volunteers and staff then select award recipients from those nominated. 

“We are looking forward to celebrating and thanking our honorees for their outstanding work educating, volunteering and beautifying Oklahoma City,” said Lisa Synar, OKC Beautiful executive director. 

“They all share our mission of a more sustainable and beautiful community where everyone can flourish together.” 

Awards will be given in seven categories, recognizing community-led initiatives, corporate achievements and individual volunteers. 

This year’s honorees will include: 

• Mayor’s Award – National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum for its Liichokoshkomo’ outdoor learning exhibit. 
• President’s Special Recognition Award – Winter on Western community-led initiative to beautify Western Avenue corridor. 
• Aubrey McClendon Corporate Award – American Fidelity for its corporate headquarters enhancements. 
• Pendleton Woods Lifetime Achievement Award – Fenton Wood for his extensive community involvement, including several volunteer roles, as well as longstanding positions with environmental programs by the State of Oklahoma and Department of Environmental Quality. 
• Community Spirit Award – 8th St. Urban Farm and SSM Health for their collaborative effort in producing an urban farm for patients experiencing food insecurity. 
• Volunteer Spirit Award – Nine-year-old Maevyn Bruemmer for her commitment to cleaning during recess at Special Care and around Oklahoma City on weekends. 
• Visionary Award – Founder and CEO of Utopia Plastix Sharina Perry for the creation of a plant-based plastic alternative. 

“Without the help of these very special businesses, individuals and organizations, [OKC Beautiful’s] job would be almost impossible,” said Cathy Keating, Honorary Chair of this year’s Distinguished Service Awards. 

You can learn more about the Distinguished Service Awards at www.okcbeautiful.com/luncheon.