The Better Business Bureau (BBB) announced the winners of its annual Torch Awards during a Nov. 1 luncheon in Perrysburg.
The Torch Awards honor area businesses that demonstrate the highest standards of business ethics and conduct. A panel of judges, consisting of volunteer community leaders, chose winners in five categories: small business (1-9 employees), medium business (10-49 employees), large business(50-149 employees), extra-large business (150-plus employees) and non-profit.
More than 100 nominations were received.
Also awarded during the ceremony were two $500 Jim Smythe Memorial Student of Integrity Scholarships, presented to area high school seniors to further their education.
Small business: Gillette Roofing
Residential roofing contractor Gillette Roofing, 1774 Sudbury Drive, in Holland, has been in business for 32 years and operates under the mantra “Make and keep customers happy.”
Whether it’s owner David Gillette personally inspecting the repair of a damaged driveway, advising potential customers during a consultation that their roof doesn’t yet need to be replaced or returning an over payment for services, the company strives to maintain honesty, integrity and moral business practices in all interactions, whether with customers, employees or business associates.
Gillette Roofing regularly donates many hours of labor to local families in need, as well as to nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity and Sunshine, formerly Sunshine Children’s Home.
For more information, visit www.gilletteroofingllc.com.
Medium business: Earl Bros. Transmission & Auto Repair
Family-owned and operated for four generations, Earl Bros. Transmission & Auto Repair has served Northwest Ohio customers since 1933. With seven locations in Toledo, Maumee, Fremont and Bowling Green, Earl Bros. handles everything from oil changes to emergency repairs and strives to go above and beyond to meet each customer’s needs.
“We are very modest and view our ethics as common practice, an everyday occurrence, something that has been part of our upbringing,” wrote Robert D.Earl as part of the BBB Torch Award entry form. The company is committed to supporting other local businesses, buying most of its parts locally and outsourcing services to local companies when needed. The company also regularly supports local events ando rganizations, such as the Lagrange Street Polish Festival, Make-A-Wish Foundation, the YMCA and more.
For more information, visit www.earlbros.com.
Large business: Edgewood Manor Nursing Center
Edgewood Manor Nursing Center, 1330 S. Fulton St., in Port Clinton, is an award-winning skilled nursing and rehabilitation center offering residential, respite and outpatient care.
Services include physical, occupational and speech therapies, respiratory and restorative programs and wound care. For 30 years, the company has been committed to excellence and to providing prompt, ethical, compassionate interactions with its residents, patients, family members and employees.
“From the time I enter the front door, I am greeted with warm smiles and several friendly acknowledgments of my presence,” wrote a regular visitor in the Torch Award entry form. “It is nice to watch the residents stop and talk to the receptionist and the business office staff as if they have been friends for years.”
The company regularly supports local community groups, including Port Clinton High School, United Way in Ottawa County, American Cancer Society and more.
For more information, visit the web site www.edgewoodmanornursingcenter.com.
Extra-large business:Huntington National Bank
Founded in 1866, Huntington National Bank provides full-service commercial, small business and consumer banking services; mortgage banking services; treasury management and foreign exchange services; equipment leasing; wealth management services and more.
Headquartered in Columbus, the bank has more than 690 branches in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia and Kentucky.
Huntington prides itself on its core value of continuous improvement, including regularly evaluating customer needs and introducing new programs and services that meet those needs. Huntington provides financial education to local school districts and nonprofit organizations and regularly partners with a variety of local charitable organizations.
For more information, visit www.huntington.com.
Nonprofit: American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio/Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio (Tie)
The American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio, 3100 W. Central Ave., in Toledo, is dedicated to providing services to those in need.
Known around the world as a respected humanitarian organization, the Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Additionally, the American Red Cross provides support to individuals serving in the armed forces and their families, including emergency communication services, counseling programs and family support groups.
The organization is committed to maintaining the highest standards of performance, ethics, integrity and workplace conduct.
For more information, visit the web site www.redcrosstoledo.org.
The Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio, 3100 W. Central Ave., Suite 250, in Toledo, is the area’s leading advocacy and support system for individuals living with chronic kidney disease.
Founded in 1966, the nonprofit strives to empower those living with kidney disease to fight the disease as well as enhance their quality of life by easing emotional and financial burdens.
The organization also aims to increase public awareness of the risks and consequences of kidney disease, with the hope of preventing disease development.
The nonprofit serves 12,000 people per year in 20 area counties through patient services and educational outreach. For more information, visit the web site kfnwo.org.
