Businesses honored for ethics at BBB Torch Awards in Fort Wayne

April 22, 2016

Businesses honored for ethics at BBB Torch Awards in Fort Wayne

Lisa Esquivel Long | New-Sentinel

TinCaps president Mike Nutter wiped his eyes Thursday evening as he got a special surprise at the BBB Torch Awards. It wasnt the agency's Individual of Integrity award that he held in his hand while seated between his son, Carson, and emcee Heather Herron on the stage at the Mirro Center for Research and Innovation. It was having Jaymason Curry, a Miami Middle School student, talk about what a difference Nutter had made.

After Curry missed a season with Elmhurst Little League because he had cancer, Nutter signed the 14-year-old Curry to a one-day contract last July with the minor league baseball team. Dressed on Thursday in the official TinCaps jersey that Nutter had given to him, Curry expressed his gratitude to Nutter.

The BBB granted its Torch awards to students, businesses and groups nominated for showing ethical behavior. Nutter received the Individual of Integrity award for refunding the payment made for a wedding at Parkview Field after a food was included in the menu that the family wanted excluded because of an allergy. 

Others who received awards:

Students of Integrity: Brett Alan Holder of Eastbrook High School; Riley Jean Peppler of Angola High School; Jenna Nicole Meyer of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne; and Shaly Ann Saylor of Indiana Tech.

Charity of Integrity: Mustard Seed Furniture Bank after Suzie Jordan, executive director, refused to go against the agency's mission of helping those in emergency situations. A donor threatened to pull his funding unless she helped someone not in an emergency situation furnish a new apartment.

Entrepreneurs of Integrity: Engine Research Associates. The family-owned business absorbed the cost of a second engine rather than pass on the cost to the client.

Pillar of the Community: Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, which is celebrating 50 years. Executive Director Jim Anderson explained how the employees must be good stewards of the animals, which sometimes means not bringing them out when the weather is not appropriate for them, despite creating disappointment for visitors.

Businesses of Integrity: B&B Loan Co.; Eichhorn Jewelry of Decatur; McMahon Tire and Service; and Jiffy Lube of Indiana.'