HIMB proud to be part of Lex Brodie’s “Thank You… Very Much!” award

Students from Kapunahala Elementary school visit HIMB, March 2018. Credit: HIMB

The “Thank You…Very Much” Award, sponsored by the Lex Brodie’s Tire Company (LBTC) Foundation, invites students in grades 4-12 to submit a letter expressing their appreciation of someone who has impacted their life. The “someone” may be a parent, teacher, friend—anyone who has been a positive influence. Among other prizes, the winning writer receives an oceanography field trip for 40 people to Coconut Island, home of the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) at SOEST.

Over the last 14 years, the LBTC Foundation has recognized 114 students through this award—with participation from over 200 schools statewide, with multiple winners from each outer island.  The program was initiated when Lex Brodie, founder and owner of LBTC, turned 90 years old.

“Mr. Brodie had a long history of customer and community appreciation. This award is intended to carry forward his generous spirit and to be an example of the good that happens when we share our appreciation for the important people in our lives,” said Scott Williams, vice president of LBTC.

In a classroom or at a school assembly, classmates, teachers, school administration and the person being honored in the letter gather. Williams reads the name of the winner and the winning writer reads the letter aloud.

The award recognizes the writer and the honoree. LBTC and the LBTC Foundation cover the cost of the field trip to Coconut Island. Robert’s Hawaii sponsors the bus rides for the students and the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel sponsors a two-night hotel stay for the person to whom the letter was written.

“HIMB has been a part of this program of six years,” said Mark Heckman, HIMB education specialist. “These students and their classmates are the future of Hawai‘i. We are honored they have chosen to visit HIMB as they move forward to become the next generation of ocean stewards or marine scientists.”

Additionally, as part of the prize pack, the LBTC Foundation gives a $500 grant to the winning school and donates to a non-profit organization chosen by the winning student.

“Thus, the program both helps our keiki share their appreciation and helps them to see what they have to be appreciative for. It also helps them learn of the needs of others and to learn ways they can give back and support their community,” said Williams.

Videos of past winners can be found here.