The Lexington Legends have won a 2010 Republic Bank We CARE Award for outstanding community service.
The We CARE (Community Activity Recognition Enterprise) awards give recognition and appreciation to local companies whose employees are actively involved in a variety of community service activities. The program was launched in 2006, and the Legends have been nominated for awards in each of the last three years.
Winners were announced Thursday night in a ceremony at the Griffin Gate Marriott. WLEX-TV news anchor Kevin Christopher served as master of ceremonies.
More than 50 nominations from organizations in seven categories met the We CARE criteria and were accepted for the awards competition. Organizations were judged on how they encourage employees to become involved in volunteer activities either during or after business hours. They were also evaluated on how they support community-based initiatives through philanthropic efforts and neighborhood assistance. Winners were selected by an independent panel of judges consisting of previous winners and community leaders.
The Legends, a class A minor league baseball affiliate of the Houston Astros, won in the category of entertainment and leisure. The Legends have provided in-kind donations of tickets, memorabilia and suites to more than 250 non-profit organizations in 2010. Legends employees participate in many fund-raising events, including the Polar Bear Plunge, Bowl for Kids Sake, the Diabetes Walk and others. Employees also participate in Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Junior Achievement.
“There are certain prestigious ‘touch points’ in a community,” said Legends President and CEO Alan Stein. “For a company like the Lexington Legends, whose own mission statement emphasizes quality of life and making our communities better, the Republic Bank We Care Award is a very important acknowledgment that we’re on the right track. It is a tremendous honor for our entire staff, and I particularly salute our General Manager, Andy Shea, for his continued leadership and commitment to community service, and our Director of Community Relations, Stephanie Fish, for her tireless efforts in this arena.”
“The Republic Bank We CARE Awards have again brought to light the quality and variety of volunteer work done by so many companies in our community,” said Bo Henry, Market President of Republic Bank.
“All of us at Republic Bank recognize the employees of the nominated companies, and the winning companies, for the community efforts they put forth that contribute so much to making this such a great place to live and raise our families,” stated Steve Trager, Chairman and CEO of Republic Bank.
“I’m so proud of the way employees of Lexington area companies reach out into our neighborhoods and communities every day,” added WLEX-TV general manager Pat Dalbey. “There’s an obvious growing culture of caring that the Republic Bank We CARE Award is nurturing. I’m particularly impressed with the quality of the employee volunteer efforts made by this year’s winning companies. Central Kentucky is indeed a warm, friendly, giving community and WLEX-TV is proud to be part of recognizing the wonderful spirit of giving represented by these awards.”
Winning companies received a handmade glass sculpture award designed by Ken von Roenn of Kentucky’s Architectural Glass Art, and WLEX-TV will produce and broadcast video vignettes highlighting each winning company.
