By Marco Ortiz

The first edition of our Reflejos Reflecting Excellence Awards was a success. The Reflejos team wants to express its most sincere gratitude to all who contributed to the realization of this event.

We want to thank our readers, because it was you who nominated the organizations that, in your opinion, are making a difference in their efforts to reach and better serve the Hispanic community.

But, of course, this event wouldn’t have taken place if there hadn’t been organizations, either commercial or nonprofit, that seek to improve day-by-day service to their Hispanic customers through special programs, scholarships, grants and other initiatives.

Here is the list of winners:

The awards in the education category went to: Elgin Community College, Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin, Harper College in Palatine, University Center of Lake County in Grayslake and McHenry County College in Crystal Lake.

In the financial services category the awards went to: Fifth Third Bank, Wintrust Bank / Elgin State Bank, Ramos Tax & Services in Elgin; Old Second Bank and ABC Bank.

In the health institutions category the awards went to: Renz Addiction Counseling Center in Elgin, St. Charles and Streamwood; Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, Homer Glen and New Lenox; Centegra Hospital in McHenry and Woodstock; Northeast DuPage Family & Youth Services in Addison and St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates.

In the workplace category, the winners were: Elgin Fresh Market, Cicero Law Firm in Chicago, JJR Marketing in Chicago, Otto Engineering in Carpentersville and Abbott Laboratories in Libertyville.

In the transportation services category the winners were: Pace Bus and Metra Rail.

And, in the category of community service, the awards went to: Centro de Información in Elgin, Hanover Park and Carpentersville; Mano a Mano in Round Lake Park; Administer Justice in Elgin, Palatine Opportunity Center and Iglesia San José in Franklin Park.

We thank the Sears Centre Arena, for providing their comfortable facilities and giving us a great welcome.

It was gratifying to see such a diverse group of people, Latino and non-Latino, of different backgrounds, professions and occupations, united in a common goal: to contribute to the advancement of the Hispanic community. Reflejos hopes to continue its commitment of giving recognition to all who contribute to the progress of our community.