BBB Serving Wisconsin Cancels Annual Torch Award Luncheon

Milwaukee, Wis. –  As the community continues to feel the impact of Coronavirus, the Better Business Bureau Serving Wisconsin is no different and regrets that we must announce the cancelation of our annual Torch Awards for Ethics and the Spark Awards for Entrepreneurship luncheon, which was to be held at the Italian Community Center on April 9. With your well-being in mind, we are taking precautionary measures based on the most recent updates from public health officials and the Governor’s declaration of a public health emergency.

The cancellation of this luncheon in no way diminishes the prestige of receiving these awards. We are proud to honor these outstanding businesses, non-profits, entrepreneurs and students for their ethics and integrity in business and in their lives.

Although the luncheon is canceled, judging continues and we still plan to honor the businesses, non-profits, entrepreneurs and students throughout the state of Wisconsin for their embodiment of trust, honesty and integrity within the local marketplace.

We will award trophies to local businesses for the Torch Awards for Ethics and the Spark Awards and they still have the opportunity to promote their achievement. As well, the 10 Student of Integrity Scholarship recipients, recently chosen from more than 1,300 applicants, will receive their individual $2,500 scholarships for use at their choice of a Wisconsin accredited college or university.

In addition, the BBB Serving Wisconsin announces that it will be relaxing its deadline for complaint responses and offers to work directly with Wisconsin businesses as needed. In this time, we hope to further promote unity and support.

“The BBB Serving Wisconsin continues to be solidly dedicated to supporting high integrity in all elements of our society”, says Jim Temmer, CEO and president of the BBB Serving Wisconsin. “Our hope is that everyone will stay safe and work together in a trusting society during this difficult time.”

We want the public to know that your Better Business Bureau Serving Wisconsin cares deeply for our local Wisconsin residents, communities, businesses and their families. As we follow the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) throughout the area, your health and safety is our top priority.

The Torch Awards Luncheon is the main fundraiser for our scholarship program and we rely on its proceeds to fund the $25,000 we give out to worthy students each year. None of these awards programs would be possible without the generous support of our sponsors (listed below). All sponsors and ticket holders will be eligible for a full refund.  If anyone wants to support the Student of Integrity Scholarships with a gift to our 501(c) (3) Foundation, we strongly encourage you to do so.

We would like to sincerely thank the following generous sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor: We Energies Foundation

Integrity Sponsors: Catholic Financial Life, Dave Jones, Inc., Roger & Shirley Schroeder, SVA, Inc., Baird

Trust Sponsors: Harley-Davidson, O’Leary & Anick, Kelmann Restoration, Town Bank, BMO Harris Bank, Associated Bank, Ellenbecker Investment Group, Make-A-Wish Wisconsin, Johnson Financial Group

Thank you to Paul & Jane Sara, who have personally donated to support our Students of Integrity Scholarships.

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For more information or further inquiries, contact the Wisconsin BBB at www.bbb.org/wisconsin, 414-847-6000 or 1-800-273-1002. Consumers also can find more information about how to protect themselves from scams by following the Wisconsin BBB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

ABOUT BBB: For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2018, people turned to BBB more than 173 million times for BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.4 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at bbb.org. There are local, independent BBBs across the United States, Canada and Mexico, including BBB Serving Wisconsin which was founded in 1939 and serves the state of Wisconsin.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.