News On 6, News 9 Recognized For Food For Kids Partnership

Oklahoma's Own Griffin Communications, News On 6 and News 9 were recently recognized with the Service to Children Award by the National Association of Broadcasters Foundation for their Food for Kids partnership with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.

"We're honored to receive this award in recognition of our employees' dedication to ending the childhood hunger problem in Oklahoma," said David F. Griffin, President and Chairman of Griffin Communications. "This award is a great confirmation of their hard work and passion for helping Oklahoma's children."

The Service to Children Radio and Television Awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.

The Griffin Communications Food for Kids Initiative, a collaborative partnership with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, launched in April 2011 with the focus on ending the problem of childhood hunger in Oklahoma.

Since its launch, The Food for Kids Initiative has raised more than $334,495, of this 100% has been donated to the Food Banks. In addition, due to public awareness, the Food Banks saw a 60% increase in donations, which translates into a $1.1 million increase.

"The part that I am most proud of has been the way our employees have embraced this cause," Griffin said. "They have volunteered countless hours to the project at the Food Banks and have donated out of their own pockets."

"We have been humbled by the level of commitment, energy, creativity and compassion demonstrated by the owners and employees of Griffin Communications through this partnership," said Rodney W. Bivens, Executive Director of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. "The visibility and awareness created by News 9, has made the issue of childhood hunger something people are willing to talk about and take steps to eradicate in Oklahoma and for that, we are extremely grateful."

"It is almost impossible to overstate the impact of Griffin Communication's Food For Kids Campaign on the community's awareness of, and response to, the problem of childhood hunger. In the year before Griffin started this campaign, we received 91 gifts designated to this program. Since the beginning of this campaign, the number of gifts has increased to 1120," said Eileen Bradshaw, Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma Executive Director. "The financial support has been remarkable, but it is not the only benefit. It is only through this kind of broad ownership of the issue will we be able to really impact this issue. Griffin has brought the issue out of the shadows and put a face on childhood hunger. We are so grateful for this partnership."

Winners will be honored at the Celebration of Service to America Awards dinner on Monday, June 11, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The celebration recognizes outstanding community service by local broadcasters.

"Local broadcasters' public service efforts reach local communities in ways that other media entities cannot replicate," said NABEF President Marcellus Alexander. "The NAB Education Foundation proudly honors the recipients of this year's Service to America Awards for their unwavering commitment to enhancing the communities they serve."

Throughout the last year Griffin Communications and its television stations have aired numerous PSAs, done extensive reporting on the issue of childhood hunger and organized promotional events such as Oklahoma's Own Ride Against Childhood Hunger and the Dine Out, Help Out Initiative.

About Griffin Communications Griffin Communications, L.L.C. is an Oklahoma-owned multimedia company, providing news and information content to Oklahomans across the state. Holdings include KWTV/News 9 in Oklahoma City and KOTV/News On 6 and KQCW/The Tulsa CW in Tulsa. Griffin's holdings also include News9.com, NewsOn6.com, MoneySavingQueen.com, and Radio Oklahoma Network, representing 40+ affiliates across Oklahoma. Griffin Communications also has developed several partnerships and strategic alliances throughout Oklahoma, including Oklahoma Community Television/Griffin Tower Company, Sooner Sports Properties and News 9 and News On 6 Now. Griffin Communications, L.L.C. is among a few privately held media companies in the country, owned by David and Kirsten Griffin of Oklahoma City, and John Griffin of Muskogee. Griffin Communications, L.L.C. solely focuses its resources in the state of Oklahoma—Oklahoma businesses owned and operated by Oklahomans. Learn more about Griffin Communications at www.griffincommunications.net.  

About The Celebration of Service to America Awards The Celebration of Service to America Awards are sponsored and produced by NABEF with major support from Hubbard Broadcasting Inc., Bonneville International Corporation and the National Association of Broadcasters. In recent years, Academy Award-winning actor Jeff Bridges, entertainment industry icon Quincy Jones, legendary rock star Sir Elton John, former President Bill Clinton, First Lady Laura Bush, Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, boxing legend Muhammad Ali, former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalyn Carter, former First Lady Nancy Reagan, and others have been presented with the Celebration of Service to America Leadership Award at the event. Details about the Celebration of Service to America Awards are available at http://www.nabef.org/events/servicetoamerica/2012/default.asp.

About NABEF The NAB Education Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to reinforcing the future of broadcasting through a commitment to education and to advancing excellence in the diversity and community service efforts of our industry. Learn more at www.nabef.org.