The Beacon Awards recognize nonprofit volunteers and staff in the Permian Basin, celebrating their dedication to the community. Since 2009, the awards have honored individuals who make a significant impact in Midland and Ector counties. In addition to recognition, the nominating organizations receive $1,000 to further their mission.
This year’s Beacon Awards luncheon will take place on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Odessa Marriott in Odessa.
The selection process for the Beacon Awards is lengthy and purposeful, involving individuals who ensure best practices within the Permian Basin nonprofit community. The awards honor nonprofit leaders, volunteers and board members, providing validation and raising awareness of the critical services these organizations provide.
Lisa Wyman, the 2024 Beacon Awards chairwoman and senior vice president at Complex Community Federal Credit Union, emphasized the importance of recognizing those who work tirelessly to drive nonprofit initiatives forward.
“Beacon allows us to shine a light on those working behind the scenes — those mission-minded individuals burning the midnight oil to put those donor dollars to hard work,” Wyman said. She added that the awards celebrate collaborations, board members and staff whose extraordinary work often goes unnoticed.
A key highlight of the Beacon Awards is its focus on youth volunteers. Recognizing young people not only acknowledges their efforts but also shapes the future of community service in Midland and Ector counties, Wyman said.
“When our youth and parents see that volunteerism and involvement in helping others in need is important, our community sends a message that caring about others is part of the maturing process and worthy of merit,” Wyman said. “Our youth are our future leaders, and volunteerism is an integral part of developing that characteristic.”
The $1,000 awarded to nominating organizations, while modest, can still have a profound effect. Wyman cited a partnership between Meals on Wheels and the Red Cross, where donated funds provided smoke detectors for clients, offering both safety and peace of mind to vulnerable residents.
“The award helps to show that the Nonprofit Management Center recognizes the value of these programs and the impact they have,” Wyman said.
The Judge Pat Baskin Family and W.D. Noël Volunteer of the Year awards honor both adults and youth in Midland and Ector counties for their volunteer contributions. When evaluating candidates, the committee focuses on the impact made by the individual rather than metrics like dollars raised or years of service. Nominees are chosen based on the significance of their work and their commitment to the community over time.
Public recognition of these volunteers helps raise awareness about the challenges nonprofits face in the Permian Basin.
“Recognition provides validation that what these volunteers are doing is important and necessary to a healthy community,” Wyman said. “It also serves to educate the public about the critical role nonprofit organizations play in addressing local needs.”
A standout feature of the Beacon Awards is the Excellence in Collaboration Award, which was added in recent years to encourage nonprofits to work together. This year’s collaboration honor goes to the American Red Cross and Meals on Wheels of Odessa for their joint efforts to provide an early warning system for the hearing impaired.
“Since the Collaboration Award was added, we’ve seen some incredible partnerships that have increased community awareness and benefitted many,” Wyman said.
The 2024 Beacon Award winners are as follows:
- Excellence in Governing Board Leadership (Board Member): Bernadette Ostroff - APS Advisory Board of the Permian Basin
- Excellence in Organizational Leadership (CEO or Executive Director): Chelsey Rogers - High Sky Children's Ranch
- Program Excellence: SHARE Family Support Program - SHARE
- Excellence in Communication: Downtown Odessa, Inc. & Odessa Arts - First Fridays
- Excellence in Collaboration: American Red Cross Serving the Permian Basin and Meals on Wheels of Odessa - Sound the Alarm
- Judge Pat Baskin Family Volunteer of the Year Award (Youth): Midland High School Football
- Judge Pat Baskin Family Volunteer of the Year Award (Adult): Liz Cole - Midland Rape Crisis and Children’s Advocacy Center
- W.D. Noël Volunteer of the Year Award (Youth): Shiloh Wyse - Meals on Wheels Odessa
- W.D. Noël Volunteer of the Year Award (Adult): Aaron Gomez - American Red Cross Serving the Permian Basin
- Outstanding Generations Graduate: Misty Clary