2013 Awards Finalists

Grand Rapids, MI (WOOD-TV) -  

WOOD TV8 has selected the eight finalists for its fifth annual Connecting with Community Awards. These awards are based on inspiration, partnership, long-lasting impact in areas like Community Service, Literacy, Diversity, Health, Education, Safety and the Environment in West Michigan. It is modeled after WOOD TV8’s Community Partnerships with Amway, Art Van Furniture, Grand rapids Community Foundation, Grand Valley State University, Huntington Bank and Metro Health Hospital.

“We know there is great work in the community and we want to highlight it,” said Eva Aguirre Cooper, Community Affairs Director at WOOD/WOTV/WXSP.  “No partnership is too big or too small if it makes a positive impact.”

The nominees for the award consisted of businesses, non-profit organizations, educational groups and individuals. Nominations were judged on the following criteria: the collaborative effort, the community outreach, the uniqueness of the partnership and the overall impact and effectiveness.

The 2013 Connecting with Community Awards finalists are the following:

Comstock Community Learning Center

Get the Lead Out! Collaborative

Grand Rapids Public School's Academy for Design and Construction

Guiding Light Mission

In the Image

Kent County Project SEARCH

Olivia's Gift

Ottawa County Parks Department.

Eight (8) finalists will be featured on 24 Hour News 8 during the months of March and April 2013. A Celebration reception with all the finalists will be held May 9th at Grand Valley State University's Loosemore Auditorium. The winner will be announced at the reception and will receive a 30 second public service announcement highlighting their partnership which will run for an entire year on WOOD TV8/ WOTV 4/ WXSP.