Delta Dental of Oklahoma Wins Beacon Award

Delta Dental of Oklahoma won a Beacon Award for Charitable Influence at the annual ceremony July 14 at the Skirvin Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City.

The annual awards, sponsored by the Journal Record newspaper, recognize Oklahoma businesses for philanthropic impact and charitable influence.

DDOK was nominated for the award for corporate and employee volunteer support of the annual Oklahoma Mission of Mercy events, also known as OkMOM.

“In addition to its corporate sponsorship of the events, Delta Dental of Oklahoma promotes a culture of volunteerism that encourages employees to make a difference as well,” the Journal Record reported. “At the Oklahoma Mission of Mercy event held in Oklahoma City this past February, 78 of 127 Delta Dental employees volunteered approximately 900 hours. Since 2010, Delta Dental employees have volunteered more than 3,800 hours.”

DDOK was also nominated for philanthropic impact for its support of the Good Shepherd Ministries dental clinic, which serves uninsured Oklahomans.

“Basically, if it wasn’t for Delta Dental’s foundation, we probably wouldn’t be able to run our dental clinic,” said Pam Timmons, executive director of Good Shepherd Ministries. “They have not only helped us financially, but helped us with community awareness by giving us a grant to pay the Gooden Group to do PR and marketing for us.”

The Delta Dental of Oklahoma Oral Health Foundation has donated more than $648,000 to Good Shepherd for dental equipment and supplies, including more than $190,000 this year alone.

The awards were divided into three categories. Delta Dental of Oklahoma was awarded a Beacon for medium-sized businesses.