Becker Communications‘ 25th-anniversary commemoration will commence with $25,000 worth of pro-bono public relations work for the Domestic Violence Action Center, selected by judges from among 58 nonprofit entries to receive the award. It also happens that the center is marking its 20th anniversary.

Becker will key in on two of the center’s needs: to create “a more clear understanding of what the Domestic Violence Action Center is and how they serve the community” and development of corporate outreach.

All employers “need our employees to feel safe, that they’re productive and doing their best,” which are all qualities of work-life impeded by violence or abuse at home. “We want to help corporations to help employees who may be going through this kind of thing,” and perhaps to enhance existing programs companies might have, she said. As for clarifying understanding, it is a common misperception that the center operates domestic violence shelters. It does many things, but shelter operation is not among them.

The five judges read through two thick binders comprising 58 applications from nonprofits. The judges were Mayor Peter Carlisle; Paul Brown, owner of Paul Brown Salons and Spa Olakino * Salon; John Morgan, president of Kua­loa Ranch Hawaii Inc.; Richard Parry, president and CEO of Aloha Petroleum Ltd.; and yours truly.

Becker also is compiling a list of 25 ways to show aloha, an effort that started with the firm hand-delivering orchid leis to its client contacts along with a description of the program. We live in high-tech times "and we’ve forgotten about high-touch," so the personally delivered lei were to represent high-touch. Feedback indicated a successful gesture.

Becker and its clients are moving forward with the 25 ways to show aloha program, and "we’re going to promote the Top 25 in the community," to get everyone thinking about “the little things they can do that can make a big difference to others.”

KITV anchor wins medal

Longtime KITV anchor, reporter and award-winning producer Pamela Young will have another award to display come June 11.

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Northern California Chapter will present her with a Governor’s Medallion at its awards ceremony this summer.

Young is NATAS vice president for the region and has served on the board for a decade.

“I’m honored to serve the NATAS members in Hawaii,” Young said in a statement. “The Academy has set high standards for our industry and I feel our market has risen to the challenge by continuing to pursue broadcast excellence in difficult times.”

Young is a 10-time Emmy winner and also has won a Peabody award.

Now a weekend anchor after decades of delivering newscasts on weekday evenings, Young will need the weekend off to collect her bling. Young also writes the “Applause” column in Star-Advertiser sister-publication MidWeek.

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Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Advertiser. Reach her by e-mail at erika@staradvertiser.com.