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Long John Silver'sŪ and BET.com Select First National Community Treasure Award Winner
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Indianapolis Man Honored for Positive Contributions in Community
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LOUISVILLE, Ky., January 12, 2004 - Long John Silver's, Inc., and BET.com have announced the winner of the first Community Treasure Award. Rev. Richard E. Willoughby of Indianapolis, Ind., received the award, which recognizes African-American civic leaders for positive contributions to improve their communities. "We were overwhelmed by the interest in the Community Treasure Award, and thrilled with the quality of the nominees," said Mike Baker, Chief Marketing Officer, Long John Silver's, Inc. "Our winner's commitment to community service has positively affected the lives of people in his community for many years. At Long John Silver's, we share his passion for brightening the communities where we live and work."
Willoughby is pastor of the Beulah Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis. He is the founder of the Voice in the Wilderness Ministry, a non-profit organization with programs for substance abuse, health, education, and mentoring. He also operates a food bank, and partners with a local school to help troubled children, in addition to many other community activities.
"I am honored to be the first recipient of the Long John Silver's Community Treasure Award," said Rev. Willoughby. "My life's vision is to be that voice in the wilderness for a community that cannot speak for themselves. I plan to use the cash prize to help with the renovation of my church to better serve others."
Thousands of people visited the Community Treasure Award web site at BET.com between Sept. 15 and Nov. 28. More than 300 African-American civic leaders were nominated for the award. Rev. Willoughby's nomination was selected from among nine finalists, and he received a $1,500 cash prize.
Long John Silver's, Inc. (www.ljsilvers.com) based in Louisville, Kentucky, is the world's most popular quick-service seafood chain specializing in a variety of seafood items including batter-dipped fish, chicken, shrimp and hushpuppies. Inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson's classic Treasure Island, Long John Silver's, Inc. was founded in 1969 in response to growing consumer demand for quick-service seafood. Today, there are more than 1,250 Long John Silver's, Inc. restaurants worldwide serving nearly four million customers each week. Long John Silver's, Inc. is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., the world's largest restaurant company in terms of system units with approximately 33,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries and territories.
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