Four Washington companies, ranging from a Bellevue-based group of restaurants to a furniture store in Sumner, have been selected as recipients of the 2014 Corporations for Communities award, which honors exceptional Washington businesses that make helping the community a priority.
John Howie Restaurants in Bellevue is one of two winners of the large-company category. The Colfax-based McGregor Company is the other. The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse in Sumner and the Barkley Company in Bellingham are the two companies receiving the small-company honors.
Companies with 100 or more employees are considered large companies and those with fewer than 100 employees are small companies.
Secretary of State Kim Wyman will present four companies with a National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion Award during a ceremony in her office on Nov. 12 at 1:30 p.m. The Medallion Award recognizes civic engagement, voter education efforts, government services and a commitment to giving back to the community.
“Washington is blessed to have many companies that give back to their communities, so I’m excited to honor several of these caring corporations that make a difference,” said Secretary of State Kim Wyman.
The McGregor Company President Alex McGregor is unable to attend the ceremony, so Wyman will present him with a medallion in Colfax on Nov. 15. The McGregor Company was nominated by Whitman County Library for supporting multiple library renovations. The company contributes time and financial assistance to civic, school and community endeavors in multiple towns. It has led efforts to revitalize the city of LaCrosse via LaCrosse Community Pride.
John Howie Restaurants was nominated for taking part in several charitable acts, events and functions, including hosting free holiday dinners for low-income and homeless people. The restaurant group has partnered with Craig Terrill and the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Kick Hunger Challenge.
The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse was nominated for its extensive community involvement. It has created, sponsored or participated in several cancer, research, autism, multiple sclerosis and other benefit events. It has sponsored the “visit with Santa and Elves” at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, Operation Turkey Drop and Operation Ham Grenade, providing holiday meals to Joint Base Lewis-McChord families. The company encourages use of paid time for its employees to participate in these activities.
The Barkley Company, which includes Talbot Real Estate, was nominated for its corporate giving in the Bellingham community. It provided free space and renovated its local library, and has donated more than $80,000 annually to several organizations.
During the Nov. 12 ceremony, six additional nominees will receive honor roll certificates for their community efforts. These companies include Jacks County Store (Ocean Park), M&N Absolute Auto (Everett), NW Sleeps (Olympia), Avista (Spokane), Pioneer Grocery (South Bend) and A Picket Fence (Sumner).
Corporations for Communities is a recognition program within the Secretary of State’s Corporations and Charities Division.
