PLATTSBURGH — United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. has been selected as a recipient of the 2024 Better Business Bureau Torch Award.
The award ceremony took place Thursday in front of the United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. offices on Tom Miller Road.
Representatives of the BBB joined the ceremony in celebrating the achievements of United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc.
“It’s my honor to be here today to present the United Way of the Adirondack with the 2024 Better Business Bureau torch award for Ethics in the small not for profit category,” Warren Clark, CEO of Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York, said.
“Their organization clearly demonstrates an unwavering commitment to ethical business practices and marketplace trust. BBB is proud to recognize John (Bernardi) and his team for their outstanding service to the community. Congratulations, and keep up the great work.”
The recognition is a testament to the organization’s commitment to ethical business practices, transparency and community impact.
HIGH LEVEL OF TRUST
The BBB Torch Award honors business and nonprofits that demonstrate exceptional standards of integrity and trust in all aspects of their operations.
“The BBB torch award for ethics celebrates the commitment by businesses and not-for-profits, to the highest standards of leadership, character and organizational ethics. The recipients have proven to have a high level of trust among their employees, customers and their communities, far beyond just delivering their products and or services,” Clark said.
According to Clark, the awards are chosen by an independent panel of judges with a variety of backgrounds and hailing from across Upstate New York, businesses and organizations throughout the service area, consisting of 48 counties of Upstate New York with some 6 million people and 134,000 businesses in 750 cities, towns and villages.
“United Way and its volunteer board of directors has worked to unite a cross section of volunteers and agencies, both public and private in a community wide effort to deliver much needed health and human services programs,” Clark said.
COMMITMENT TO ETHICS
United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. has consistently upheld these principle values while striving to improve lives and create lasting change in the communities it serves.
“We are honored and excited to be the recipient of the Torch award from the Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York,” John Bernardi, President and CEO of United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. said.
“It is a tremendous opportunity to highlight the commitment we have to ethics and transparency and relevance to the important work that we’re doing here in this region. It’s a testament to our entire organization, from the board of directors to the team, staff team, to our stakeholders and donors and supporters who believe in the work that we’re doing, and we’re just honored and thrilled to be able to accept this award.”
Bernadi accepted the award on behalf of United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. followed by remarks from Chris Mazella, United Way chair, and Assemblyman Billy Jones, a board member.
“This is a culmination of all the hard work that the staff here, and John, at the United Way the Adirondacks. They should be very proud of this award. and speaking as a board director, I am very privileged and proud to be a board member with my fellow board members over there,” Jones said.
“And this award only solidifies the hard work that has been done, and it’s an acknowledgement to the testament of the work that has been put on here.”