The Beacon Awards are designed to honor excellence in Permian Basin nonprofit organizations by recognizing volunteers and staff of the local nonprofit sector. In addition to the award, the nominating organization will receive $1,000.

The Judge Pat Baskin Family and W.D. Noël Volunteer of the Year Awards are intended to increase awareness of the importance of volunteering in our community. The awards recognize volunteers who give assistance to the community and receive no remuneration for their efforts. The Judge Pat Baskin Family Volunteer of the Year Award is designed to acknowledge volunteers who are residents of Midland County and the W.D. Noël Volunteer of the Year Award acknowledges Ector County residents. Both awards recognize an adult and youth volunteer in each community.

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2026 Honorees

Community Impact
Odessa Teen Court 

Governing Board Leadership 
Gary Johnson 

Innovation in Nonprofit Work 
Neighbors Eden Project 

Organizational Leadership 
Patty Pisklak 
 
Outstanding Partnership 
Museum of the Southwest  
& Multiple Partners 
 
Rural Impact 
Literacy Coalition of the  
Permian Basin 
 
Judge Baskin Family  
Eddie Montoya, Adult 
D’Annette Romero, Youth 
 
W.D. Noël  
Adult-Kayley Howard, Adult 
Porter Gault, Youth 

Laurie L. Johnson  
Lighthouse Legacy 
Cookie Wetendorf 
 

Last Year’s Honorees

For more Beacon Award information
beacon@nmc-pb.org