Lexington, KY - Please indulge us for a moment. Our publishers here at Smiley Pete are having quite a big day and we thought everyone should know about it.
Smiley Pete Publishing Co. founders and owners, Chris Eddie and Chuck Creacy today received the prestigious 2013 Spirit Award, presented by the Lexington Forum at the organization’s annual State of the Merged Government Address, a sold out luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Lexington that provides the city’s sitting mayor an opportunity to address a broad spectrum of local leaders.
Each year the Lexington Forum recognizes an individual or group that has made a meaningful change in the Bluegrass by giving back to the community through volunteerism. The criteria of this award are based solely on the Nominee’s caring contributions to the community.
In citing Eddie, Creacy and their company, the Forum said:
Business Lexington, Chevy Chaser and Southsider
tadoo.com
“Smiley Pete Publishing has served as a consistent, ardent and significant supporter of the Lexington community in general and its arts scene, in particular. Over the years since its launch in 1997, this local, independent publisher of magazines, as well as the new arts & entertainment website , has enlightened readers about a broad range of community issues, key events and local personalities.”
In 2011, the company, working in partnership with the Blue Grass Community Foundation, created the Good Giving Guide Challenge. In its first year, the initiative raised approximately $204,000 in donations to 58 participating non-profits. The 2012 campaign was just completed and raised almost triple that amount. 2012 contributions, including match challenges, totaled just over $586,000.
Previous recipients of the Lexington Forum Spirit Award include:
Alan Stein, 2012
Cornelia “Neal” Vaughn, 2011
Ginny Ramsey, 2010
Dr. David Stephens, 2009
Isabelle Yates, 2008