Lions Meadows of Hope Chosen as a Finalist for the 2022 Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence Awards


Media Release

Lions Meadows of Hope is one of twenty-one Oklahoma organizations that are now finalists for the prestigious Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards, presented annually by the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits (OKCNP). Out of almost 19,000 nonprofits statewide, only twenty-one were named finalists.

“Being a finalist for the ONE award is an honor. The OKCNP is the standard of excellence for nonprofits in Oklahoma. Their seal of approval is more than an award. It is confirmation that our agency is sound, and we are making an impact in Oklahoma.”- said Bryan Larison, Executive Director, Lions Meadows of Hope

On April 9, 2022, finalists will join together at Tulsa Southern Hills Country Club to celebrate and hear the announcement of the 2022 ONE Awards winners. Finalists are divided into seven mission categories and receive $5,000, with category winners receiving $7,500. On the night of the event, an overall winner will be awarded $10,000 and the title of Oklahoma’s 2022 Nonprofit of Excellence. In total, this year’s finalists will receive $125,000 to recognize the impact of their charitable work throughout the state. As of 2021, the OKCNP ONE Awards has given more than $2 million to more than 200 Oklahoma nonprofits.

“Foster Care can be a hard and lonely place for parents, children and the people that support them. The issues they face are often complex with no simple solutions,” said Bryan Larison– Executive Director. “My true hope is that this is an opportunity to bring more support and awareness to the issue of foster care in our community. There is still much work to be done and it’s an honor to be recognized for serving children and families well.

Awards are presented in the following categories:

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Community
  • Education
  • General Impact
  • Health Services
  • Self-Sufficiency
  • Youth Development

The finalists were chosen by the ONE Awards Selection Commission, a group of prestigious community leaders from across Oklahoma. The Commission, chaired by Phil Lakin, Jr., includes Kathie Coyle, Lisa Greenlee, Alana Hughes, David Hogan, Courtney Knoblock, Peggy Simmons, Sarah Roberts, Meg Salyer, Wendi Schuur and Mary Kate Wilson.

“The ONE Award recipients are selected for their excellence in all areas, from impact and service delivery to clients, to reputation, to internal management and efficiencies,” Phil Lakin Jr., Chairman of the ONE Awards Selection Commission, said.

Lions Meadows of Hope is a foster agency located in Payne County. Beginning in 1938 as a children’s home they have been serving children that need the love of a family for over 83 years. LMOH trains, certifies and provides ongoing support to foster parents in the Payne County region. We are proud to contract with OKDHS to place foster children from across Oklahoma in safe and loving foster homes.  You don’t have to say yes to foster care to say yes to a foster child. To learn more about how you can volunteer, foster or get involved please visit our website at www.lionsmoh.org

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities or how you can support these amazing nonprofit finalists in the 2022 ONE Awards, please contact Rob Gardenhire at [email protected] or (918) 340-7053.