BBB Tip of the Week: Torch Awards 2018

Do you know a trustworthy business or charity that deserves to be honored? Then nominate them today for Better Business Bureau Northwest and Pacific’s 2019 Business of the Year and Charity of the Year Torch Awards.

Each year we take nominations from across our region that includes Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Western Wyoming. If you know a business or charity that should be recognized, you can nominate them. We also accept self-nominations. We accept nominations by both accredited and nonaccredited businesses.

All nominees will be contacted to complete the application form after the nomination period. BBB is accepting nominations at https://bbb-businesses.org/torch-awards/businesses/ until July 21.

Last year’s Torch Award winner was 16 Cents, 3 Shoes and 5 Socks, which has been an accredited business with BBB since 2015. Owner Jason McSteen, had lost everything and walked into the Union Gospel Mission in Spokane in Dec. 1, 2012, with nothing in his pockets but 16 cents, 3 shoes and 5 socks. From that day on, and with the encouragement from others, McSteen grew the business to three stores in Spokane.

“Five years ago, I started this business in a garage,” Jason McSteen said. “Because of the hard work of our staff and loyal customers, we now have three stores in Spokane and are glad to be part of the furniture and mattress retail industry in Spokane. We really focus on and are proud to give back, to give second chances and to make a difference in the community.”

The BBB Torch Awards program honors companies and charities that demonstrate a high level of integrity and ensure that an organization’s practices meet the highest standards of ethics. We are looking for businesses and charities that generate a high level of trust among their staff, customers and communities.

Starting this year, we have some changes and have added a few new categories:

Business of the Year Tier 1: Honors businesses with 1-10 full-time employees that demonstrate a commitment to ethics, integrity and building trust in the marketplace.

Business of the Year Tier 2: Honors businesses with 11 or more full-time employees that demonstrate a commitment to ethics, integrity and building trust in the marketplace.

Spark Awards for New Business: Spark Award for New Businesses, a new Torch Award offered by BBB Northwest and Pacific, recognizes early-stage businesses that generate authentic culture about their mission and embed social impact into their business model to support their community. Businesses may select this option if the business has been in operation from six months to five years by July 21.

Charity of the Year: Honors a 501c(3) organization that demonstrates its effectiveness in impacting positive change in its community ethically and responsibly.

A Business of the Year in both tiers, along with a Spark Award winner and a Charity of the Year, will be named in each region that BBB Northwest and Pacific serves. We serve consumers and businesses in Alaska, Idaho/W. Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, Hawaii, Eastern Washington and Western Washington. One recipient from the Northwest and Pacific territory will receive an award for Charity of the Year.

Entries are evaluated by independent, voluntary panels of judges comprised of business and community leaders. Charities and businesses of all sizes are eligible to apply for this award. To learn more about the Torch Awards criteria or to make a nomination, visit: https://bbb-businesses.org/torch-awards/businesses/