Landscape Architect Articles

LASN Stewardship Nov, 200411-01-04 | News

Department of Defense Honors
B-K Lighting and Star Finishes

Awards and certificates are presented to the five branches of the military by B-K Lighting and by many political dignitaries, including Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger?EUR??,,????'???s office, presented by his representative Julie Menzes (shown).

In July, the Department of Defense awarded their distinguished Above and Beyond Award to Madera-based companies B-K Lighting and Star Finishes for their support of our nation?EUR??,,????'???s armed services.

From Teddy Bears to Care Packages

The two company?EUR??,,????'???s employees support the armed forces by raising money for teddy bears for children of the local soldiers who are unable to make it home for the holidays. Funds raised by employees were also used to send phone cards. A phone card luncheon was held where the employees cooked the food provided by B-K Lighting and the money raised was sent to the USO.

In a letter from Edward A. Powell, President and CEO of the USO, ?EUR??,,????'??Your timely support helped us to rapidly gear up for the huge task of serving over 400,000 troops, fighting on more overseas fronts than we?EUR??,,????'???ve had since WWII. Without citizens like you, we could not have succeeded.?EUR??,,????'??

B-K Lighting?EUR??,,????'???s Above and Beyond Award presented by the Department of Defense for employee involvement in a multifaceted fund raising campaign that involved teddy bears for children who have parents deployed in the military, phone cards, monthly letters and care packages?EUR??,,????'??+just for starters.

They were honored for all their hard work with pins and presented with a flag, which had flown over the Capital Building in Washington D.C. The Employer Support Group for the Guard and Reserves, under the auspices of the Department of Defense, presented the pins during an outdoor ceremony.

In addition, the employees sent monthly letters and care packages to soldiers stationed in Iraq.

The Effort is Still Ongoing

Another fund raising project is now underway to raise money for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund that gives 100 percent of their donations to the surviving families of soldiers killed in Iraq.

The employees are creating a cookbook and are soliciting recipes from suppliers, vendors and employees. The cookbook, when completed, will sell for $25. The employee?EUR??,,????'???s work for these causes is due to Doug Hagen, president/CEO of B-K and Star Finishes whose leadership and vision inspired their fund raising efforts to support the troops.

If you are interested in purchasing a cookbook, contact diane.tjerrild@BKLighting.com

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Star Finishes and B-K Lighting

Star Finishes is an environmentally-friendly conversion coating and powder coating facility. B-K Lighting manufactures standard and custom fixtures for architectural and landscape lighting and is one of the top 20 largest private sector employers in Madera County, Calif. B-K Lighting supports their local community through activities including Madera High School sports, and through fund-raising and on-site blood drives with the Central California Blood Center?EUR??,,????'???s Blood Mobile.