Recent Press Releases from the Uncommon Friends Foundation
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 13, 2006 |
Contact: Arlene Roth, Executive Director, Uncommon Friends Foundation, (239) 337-9505 |
The Uncommon Friends Foundation Names HomeBanc Mortgage Corp. as
Winner of the Region's First Business Ethics Award
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. (June 13, 2006) --The Uncommon Friends Foundation,
a Southwest Florida character-education foundation, has selected HomeBanc
Mortgage Corporation as the winner of the region's first Business Ethics
Award. The award, which recognizes a company's system-wide commitment
to business ethics, was presented to Nigel Fullick, vice president of
HomeBanc Mortgage, at the organization's Business Ethics Award event.
HomeBanc was selected from a field of five finalists including the American Red Cross; Lee County Chapter; Colonial Bank; Salvation Army; and The Bonita Bay Group.
The winner was selected by a team of nationally respected ethics professionals
who developed the award criteria and made their selections from among the
22 companies and organizations that were nominated by business, political,
community and religious leaders from the five-county area. Each nominated
company received an invitation to apply.
Joan Elise Dubinsky, Esquire, a member of the judging panel, is an ethics
officer for the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., and a
nationally recognized author, educator and management consultant on business
ethics. "Uncommon Friends is to be commended for initiating this business
ethics award," said Dubinsky, a faculty member of the national Ethics
and Compliance Officer Association and an executive fellow with the Center
for Business Ethics. "It was a pleasure to read all the nominations
and I'm impressed with the commitment of Southwest Florida organizations
to raising business ethics standards. Not all companies understand the
difference between business ethics and customer service, or business ethics
and social responsibility. The finalists are moving in that direction and
seem to know that at its core, business ethics is what you do when no one
is looking. How do you treat your employees, vendors and business partners?
How do your employees, when faced with a grey situation, make a decision
about what to do? The very fact that Uncommon Friends, Florida Gulf Coast
University and others are discussing these tough issues shows Southwest
Florida is ahead of many other areas of the country," she continued.
2-2-2-2/Uncommon Friends Foundation Names HomeBanc Mortgage as Winner
The judging panel also included Dawn-Marie Driscoll, author of "Ethics
Matters: How to Implement Values-Driven Management," an executive
fellow and advisory board member of the Center for Business Ethics at Bentley
College in Waltham, Mass.; Francis J. Daly, former director of the ethics
program of the Fortune 500 Los Angeles-based aerospace company, Northrop
Grumman; S.J. Gerald Cavanagh, Ph.D., chair of business ethics, University
of Detroit Mercy and author of "American Business Values: With International
Perspectives"; and Charles Fornaciari, Ph.D., Uncommon Friends chair
of ethics, College of Business, Florida Gulf Coast University; and professors
from the colleges of Professional Studies, Education, Health Professions,
Arts and Sciences at FGCU. As part of the day-long celebration of ethics
hosted by the Uncommon Friends Foundation, Driscoll and Daly participated
in a panel discussion with Southwest Florida business leaders held at FGCU.
Daly also served as the keynote speaker at the evening event.
The Uncommon Friends Foundation was established in Southwest Florida in 1993 to instill ethics, moral values and a sense of purpose in tomorrow's leaders. The Business Ethics Award was sponsored by Oswald Trippe and Company Inc. and St. Paul Travelers Insurance Company, The News-Press, Congress Jewelers, Edison National Bank, Chico's and Moorings Park.
For additional information on the Uncommon Friends Foundation call (239) 337-9505 or visit the Web site at uncommonfriends.org.
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 13, 2006 |
Contact: Arlene Roth, Executive Director, Uncommon Friends Foundation, (239) 337-9505 |
Uncommon Friends Foundation Rewards "A Commitment
to Helping Friends:
24 recipients demonstrate Character, Ethics and a Sense of Purpose
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (June 13, 2006) -- From Eagle Scouts going off to college
to single moms striving for financial independence, 24 men and women
have received encouragement and support for the pursuit of their dreams
from the Uncommon Friends Foundation. They are this year's Uncommon Friends
Foundation scholarship winners, honored at "An Uncommon Evening," the
organization's annual event celebrating the region's first business ethics
award. The scholarship recipients were cheered on by their families,
their teachers and more than 400 business, professional and government
leaders who applauded their determination for personal growth.
The evening's theme, "An Uncommon Evening," refers to the Uncommon Friends Foundation's mission to instill ethics, moral values and a sense of purpose in tomorrow's leaders.
Since it began seven years ago, the Uncommon Friends Foundation scholarship program has helped more than 175 men and women meet the costs of tuition, books and supplies as they pursue meaningful careers and, ultimately, the self-esteem and security that come with financial independence for themselves and their families.
Nominations for the 2006 scholarships came from area schools and social
service agencies. Several of this year's awards recognize leadership and
academic excellence already exhibited; others are made to candidates in
whom the Foundation sees extraordinary potential, but who face various
obstacles in their effort to join the mainstream of society and the economy.
This year's recipients include:
Zuly Fernandez arrived in Florida with her family ten years ago on a wooden
boat from Cuba. She dreams of earning a college degree and working to make
education opportunities available to everyone. Her dream begins at Edison
College.
Mary Streetzel is a student at Edison College and plans to attend Columbia
University to study American Studies or Sociology. In addition to her studies,
she keeps busy with many activities related to journalism, modeling and
accounting.
Richelande Dorrelus has always wanted a medical career and is working hard to attain her goal as a nursing student at Edison College. Being a single parent, working part time and studying have been challenges, but she is determined to set even higher goals as she continues her medical career.
Nanette Perkins views life as a "dance," one that has many steps but leads to success and happiness for herself and her three children. As a single parent, nursing student and waitress, she has choreographed her life with "…positive spirit, energy and ambition."
Kimberly Allen dreams changed when her husband died and she became a single parent to two children. Her new dream is to complete her program at Edison College in Paralegal Studies and to make a difference in her children's future and that of their friends.
Ashlee Barnett faced many challenges during her last years as a student at Riverdale High School including living independently. She will attend Hillsboro Community College and is determined to be the first in her family to graduate from college. Everyone who knows Ashlee is sure that this remarkable "survivor" will meet her goal.
Terra Conley graduated from Richard Milburn Academy and will attend Florida Gulf Coast University, where she will begin her pursuit of a career as a dentist. She has been the major source of support for her mother and brother and has still found time for many volunteer efforts.
Migual Vargas wears many hats - husband, father of four, active church member, US Army veteran, employee at the Veterans' Administration and college student. He is studying for a degree in Health Information Technology at International College.
Victoria Walker is truly a lifelong learner and last year was the first in her family to earn a college degree. She did this while working full-time with the Salvation Army and raising her teenage son as a single parent. Her next goal is to earn a bachelor's degree.
Michael Graczyk became an Eagle Scout in June 2005 after completing his Eagle project of building an arbor at the Phillippi Estate Park in Sarasota. This accomplishment was even more significant due to the loss of his father during this project. Michael hopes to pursue a career in computer technology.
Evan Waldt became an Eagle Scout in May 2005 after completing his Eagle project at Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center. He also received a Silver Cord from the Red Cross for volunteer work after Hurricane Charley. Evan aspires to a career in international relations or international law.
Corey Peterson developed Moody Garden at Grace United Methodist Church for his Eagle project. He has also been awarded the Order of the Arrow's Virgil Honor. Corey will attend Edison College and then the University of Florida in pursuit of a career in architectural design.
Jordan Wise's Eagle project was to create a safe playground at the Olga United Methodist Church. He is active in his scout troop, church and community organizations. Jordan will attend the University of Florida.
Heidi Brennan is an education student at Florida Gulf Coast University. She has a passion for science and English as a second language. Heidi is a student who "can't wait" to share her passions, to create a warm, inviting classroom and to see what her students will teach her.
Melissa Jones, a single mother of two, is a nursing student at High Tech Center North and works part time. Her dream is "...to change peoples' lives, to make them healthier and to make miracles happen."
Michael Ford attends Cape Coral High School and a selective program for automotive careers at High Tech Central where he has perfect attendance. His teachers praise his "... sense of goodness and honesty."
Yerian Gomez, a student at Cape Coral High School and High Tech Central, came to this country from Cuba as a nine year old. His dream is to complete his automotive program, work for a dealership and to one day be a business owner.
Yoandry Gomez, like his twin brother, is a student at Cape Coral High School and High Tech Central. He plans a future in landscape architecture and describes himself as "... like a child who wants to know everything there is to know..."
Brian Contreras is a straight A student at Fort Myers High School. While college is still a few years away, he is already planning and working hard for the day when he will earn his college degree.
Sanché Bell aspires to be a doctor and works hard at Ida S. Baker High School to make sure her goal is reached. Her work ethic, sincerity and pride in all she does are traits that will assure success.
Jacara Ware, who participates in many athletic programs at Fort Myers High School, plays piano and has a part-time job. She values her friends and strives to keep all around her cheerful and stress free.
Vanessa De La Rosa attends Bishop Verot High School where she is a valued member of Key Club, a community service organization. Many role models have influenced her to be "compassionate, honest and spiritually adventurous."
Billie-Jean Jones is a busy student at Cape Coral High School participating in Honor Society, athletics and JROTC. She has also participated in the Girl Scouts for many years.
Richard Saracione, an Ida S. Baker High School student, shares his athletic skills and love of baseball with many younger children. His commitment, citizenship and personal initiative are attributes that will help him reach his goal of attaining a college degree.
The Uncommon Friends Foundation was established in Southwest Florida in 1993 to instill ethics, moral values and a sense of purpose in tomorrow's leaders. Scholarship sponsors include Oswald Trippe and Company Inc. and St. Paul Travelers Insurance Company, The News-Press, Congress Jewelers, Edison National Bank, Chico's and Moorings Park.
In addition to its scholarship program, the Uncommon Friends Foundation has developed Lessons Learned from the Uncommon Friends, an educational curricula and accompanying teacher workshops for use in elementary through college classrooms. It recognizes outstanding teachers utilizing the curriculum at the annual Uncommon Friends Character Education Awards and assisted in the establishment of the Uncommon Friends Eminent Scholar of Ethics chair at Florida Gulf Coast University. For additional information on the Uncommon Friends Foundation call (239) 337-9505 or visit the organization's Web site at uncommonfriends.org.