Tulsa Mental Health Association Wins Top Honors At ONE Awards

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- Mental Health Association in Tulsa, Inc. was named the top nonprofit for 2010 at its third annual Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards Saturday night in Tulsa.

Michael Brose, executive director of the Mental Health Association in Tulsa, Inc., accepted the Charles Schusterman Award for Excellence on behalf of his organization. They were also awarded a $10,000.

Nine other agencies were winners of their unique category of service, and 17 received finalist awards. In total, $160,000 was awarded to 27 of the state's top nonprofits.

Steve Turnbo, 2010 ONE Awards event chair, addressed attendees of the event.

"Our honorees are role models for other nonprofits," said Turnbo. "We know you are sought out for your guidance and inspiration, as you are recognized for many outstanding qualities that benefit your nonprofit."

Mental Health Association in Tulsa, Inc. is dedicated to promoting mental health, preventing mental disorders and achieving victory over mental illness through advocacy, education, research, service and housing. Its current programs and services include housing for 287 individuals impacted by mental health issues, a call center and five support groups.

Finalists for the ONE Awards are nominated and selected by the ONE Awards Selection Commission, chaired by J. Jerry Dickman of Tulsa. The commission, made up of community leaders from throughout the state, meets annually to identify and reward nonprofits that exhibit excellence in their daily operations.

The commissioners include Michael Cawley, Ardmore; Nance Diamond, Shawnee; Frederick Drummond, Pawhuska; Ken Fergeson, Altus; R.H. Harbaugh, Tulsa; First Lady Kim Henry, Oklahoma City; Phil Lakin, Tulsa; Frank Merrick, Oklahoma City; Polly Nichols, Oklahoma City; the Rev. George Young, Oklahoma City; and Stanton Young, Oklahoma City.

"Knowing there are more than 18,000 nonprofits who serve the citizens throughout Oklahoma, narrowing down the list of submissions is not an easy assignment," Turnbo said.

Of 70 nonprofits originally nominated for a ONE Award, only 27 were selected as finalists in one of nine categories of service. The winners in each category received $7,500 and two finalists received $5,000.

The complete list of tonight's ONE Awards winners is as follows:

The Barnett Family Foundation Award for Arts & Humanities
Category Winner: Gilcrease Museum
Finalists: Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra; Muskogee Little Theatre

Devon Energy Corporation Award for Community
Category Winner: Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
Finalists: Neighborhood Alliance; OKC Metro Alliance, Inc.

Potts Family Foundation Award for Education
Category Winner: Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics
Finalists: Elk City Education Foundation; Millwood Arts Academy

ONE Awards Selection Commission Award for Seniors
Category Winner: Ardmore Village
Finalists: Arthritis Foundation, Oklahoma Chapter; RSVP Tulsa

Herman Kaiser Family Foundation/Anne & Henry Zarrow Foundation Award for Youth Development
Category Winner: Youth Services of Osage County, Inc.
Finalists: Boys & Girls Club of Oklahoma County; Youth At Heart

H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Charitable Trusts Award for Community Health Services
Category Winner: Iron Gate
Finalists: INTEGRIS Rural Health Foundation; Schools for Healthy Lifestyles

Moran Family Foundation/Public Service Company of Oklahoma Award for Sports and Recreation
Category Winner: YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City
Finalists: Lake Thunderbird Educational Foundation; Tulsa Zoo Friends, Inc.