WEDU PBS Now Accepting Applications and Nominations for 10th Annual WEDU Be More Awards

TAMPA, Fla. - Sept. 8, 2014 - PRLog -- For the 10^th consecutive year, WEDU, West Central Florida’s primary PBS station, is accepting applications and nominations that highlight the best work from area 501(c)(3) organizations, which will be celebrated at the February 12, 2015 WEDU Be More Awards ceremony and luncheon.

Now through October 30, 2014, WEDU will accept applications for non-profit organizations, both large and small. Online nominations in a variety of categories are also being accepted to recognize acts of generosity and kindness by volunteers and individuals throughout the Tampa Bay region.

“For us, it’s been an immediate impact. When you have something like the Be More Awards, where you all put it out in front of the community and say ‘are you aware?’ For us, it’s an invaluable asset for us to use because the broader public sees that and it’s a terrific amount of awareness,” stated Thomas Mantz, Executive Director of Feeding America Tampa Bay when asked about the impact of the WEDU Be More Awards.

Feeding America Tampa Bay was chosen as 2014 Be More Unstoppable Non-Profit of the Year award winner and recipient of a $1,000 WEDU Community Investment Grant.

“It’s meant a great deal. It’s rare that this kind of work is really acknowledged in the public so first of all, it’s such an amazing honor,” said Jesse Miller, Director of The Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay and the 2013 WEDU Be More Unstoppable Non-Profit of the Year. “Just to be acknowledged was so incredibly special.”

There is no charge to apply. The WEDU Be More Awards application and complete details can be found at wedu.org/bemore or by calling 800.354.9338 ext 2241.

Awards will be given in a variety of categories recognizing everything from Marketing Campaigns, Special Events, Educational Outreach, Arts and Culture, to Philanthropists and Volunteers.

“We are so excited to be celebrating 10 years of honoring amazing organizations and voluteers throughout West Central Florida. The driving force behind the WEDU Be More Awards is not just simply to recognize the tremendous work and selfless acts that our area organizations and volunteers provide, but also to help build awareness and understanding for these organizations that rely so heavily on the support of the community they serve,” said Allison Hedrick, WEDU Vice President of Communications.

The application and nomination categories include:

WEDU Be More Awards Application Categories:
(Organizations must submit a completed application to be considered in these categories)

- Be More Informed…Nielsen Marketing Campaign Award
- Be More Entertaining…Special Events Award
- Be More Brilliant… Innovation Award
- Be More Enriched…Greenberg Traurig Arts & Culture Award
- Be More Knowledgeable…Bank of Tampa Educational Outreach Award

WEDU Be More Awards Nomination Categories:
(Individuals or organizations must submit an online nomination to be considered in these categories.)

- Be More Relevant…Best Use of Video Award
- Be More Involved…Award for Volunteerism
- Be More Inspiring…Rising Star Award
- Be More Entrepreneurial… Engaged Philanthropist Award
- Be More Humble…People’s Choice Award
- Be More Outspoken…Voice of Tampa Bay Award
- Be More Empowering…Paycor Small Nonprofit Award

WEDU Be More Awards Judges Categories:
(An independent judging panel will select the ultimate winner in these categories.)

- Be More Positive…ABC Action News Award
- Be More Encouraged…Judge’s Choice Award
- Be More Unstoppable…Nonprofit of the Year Award

For complete details, please visit www.wedu.org/bemore.

ABOUT WEDU PBS
WEDU PBS is West Central Florida’s primary PBS station and public media company reaching 16 counties through media platforms including on-air programming and online experiences that broaden horizons, transport and transform and open gateways to new ideas and new worlds. Financially supported by the community, the organization offers a wealth of award-winning inspirational, educational and enlightening content over a variety of media platforms including: television programming, station’s website, wedu.org and various social media platforms, monthly member magazine Premiere, educational outreach activities and a myriad of special events. WEDU’s focus on the local community has resulted in the station being regarded as a beacon of trust for men, women and children of every walk of life no matter their age, ethnicity or socio-economic status. WEDU is a treasured community resource; a window to the world for the homebound and a vital educational source for the youngest members of society. WEDU prides itself on its position in the Tampa Bay community as a leader, partner, informed citizen and a member of PBS, the most trusted institution in America (ORC International’s DualFrame CARAVAN, January 2014). For more information, program schedules or to support WEDU PBS, visit wedu.org, WEDU Public Media on Facebook and Twitter or call 813.254.9338.