State Seeks Outstanding Businesses for Community Service Award

Do you know an outstanding business in Bellevue that contributes back to the community? The state wants to know about it.

The Secretary of State’s Office is accepting nominations for its Corporations for Communities 2011 award.

Last fall, GLY Construction in Bellevue and Dissmore’s Foods in Pullman were picked as winners.

The program was started in 2009 by Secretary of State Sam Reed to “recognize exceptional Washington businesses that demonstrate a commitment to giving in order to improve local or regional social and environmental conditions,” the office said in a statement.

"This is an opportunity to encourage standout corporations that are choosing to make their community a priority,” Reed said. “Particularly in these tough economic times, it’s important to cheer on businesses that are going above and beyond to make a difference in Washington.”

Each year, Reed selects one large and one small business to receive a National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion, the highest civics honor awarded by the state.

Nomination forms are available on the Secretary of State’s Web site athttp://www.sos.wa.gov/corps/corpsforcommunities/. They’re due by Aug. 31. Winners will be announced in September.