The Starfish Initiative was awarded the 2008 Charity of Ethics Award.

Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008) – The Better Business Bureau of Central Indiana is pleased to announce those businesses, students and a charity organization who were recognized at today's Celebration of Ethics Program presented by Citizens Gas.

Four central Indiana businesses were honored for their management practices, customer relations, marketing and sales practices and reputation within their industry and community.

Herff Jones, Safety Management, Lifestyle Group and Hoosier Permanent Coating took top honors at the Better Business Bureau's 2008 Business Ethics Award program at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis.

"These businesses have demonstrated exceptionally high levels of ethical business practices and corporate responsibility," said BBB of Central Indiana President and CEO Linda Carmody. "Integrity, honesty and ethics are important to our 2008 winners."

Unique Window and Door, Theile Heating and Air Conditioning, Forum Credit Union and ADT sponsored the BBB Business Ethics Program. ESPN 1070 The Fan was the event media sponsor. The Business Ethics Award program was established by the Better Business Bureau in 1995.

BBB Student of Ethics Program

The BBB's Student of Ethics Program was established in 2005 to recognize high school juniors who personify high ethics through leadership, community service, personal integrity and academic history. The scholarships are to be used to offset the costs of college.

In addition to providing school and community activities, applicants were asked to write an essay about a difficult decision they had to make and how they used character and ethics to make that decision. An independent panel of business and community leaders judged the entries.

And the winners are:

Allyson Kage, Jennings County High School, is the winner of the $2,500 scholarship sponsored by CP Morgan.

ERMCO, Inc. and The Edward M. Gossett Foundation sponsored the $2,500 scholarship awarded to Andrew Johns, Pike High School.

BBB Charity of Ethics Program

The Starfish Initiative was awarded the 2008 Charity of Ethics Award.

The annual award, established in 2005 honors one outstanding charity that not only meets the BBB's standards for charitable organizations but also exceeds those standards by demonstrating high ethical practices. The BBB standards include the organization's public accountability, effectiveness, use of funds, governance and oversight of fundraising practices and finances. The competition for this award is open to all central Indiana 501(c)(3) charities.

Starfish Initiative is a not-for-profit organization that facilitates opportunities for economically disadvantaged high school students to achieve their dream of becoming powerful, successful models for future Hoosier generations. They received a $2,500 donation from Riley Bennett & Egloff during the luncheon.

About the BBB System

The Better Business Bureau is dedicated to advancing trust between businesses and consumers. BBBs across the U.S. and Canada serve millions of consumers and nearly 400,000 members/Accredited Businesses. The BBB has grown to become the most recognized name and advocate for promoting trust in the marketplace, maintaining a database on almost 3 million businesses and approximately 7,000 charities. For more information, please visit www.bbb.org.

Source: Better Business Bureau