Several North Central Indiana businesses were among the 2026 BBB Torch Award for Ethics.
Elkhart-based Surf Internet was one of three winners in the business of integrity category, alongside Sweetwater and Sky Point Social Services, both in Fort Wayne.
The Better Business Bureau serving Northern Indiana presented the awards during an Oct. 22 ceremony at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne. More than 160 businesses were nominated for awards in the 22 counties the branch serves.
“Trust isn't something a business can simply claim. It's something you have to earn through your actions, day after day,” said Gene Crusie, CEO of Surf Internet, in a press release. “We've worked hard to build a company where doing the right thing guides our decisions, whether we're serving a customer, supporting an employee or investing in a community.”
South Bend-based C2 Your Health Women's Initiative won in the nonprofit of integrity category. The Upper Room Recovery Community, also based in South Bend, was a finalist.
Joel Richardson, director of customer care at Surf, credited employees with the win.
“This award is primarily for them,” Richardson said. “It's for our field technicians, our care teams and everyone whose work touches the lives of people in the communities we serve.”
Torch winners are chosen for their organizational character, culture and community involvement.
“What makes these awards so special is the people behind them,” BBB President and CEO Jan Diaz said in a statement. “Our winners and finalists show us what it means to do the right thing, not just when it's easy, but every day.”
Here is the full list of finalists:
Business of Integrity
- Home Sweet Home Cleaning Service
- Ruoff Mortgage – Southwest Fort Wayne
- Sky Point Social Services, LLC
- Surf Internet
- Sweetwater
Nonprofit of Integrity
- C2 Your Health Women's Initiative
- Fort Wayne Zoo
- Mustard Seed Furniture Bank of Fort Wayne
- Upper Room Recovery Community
Individual of Integrity
- Cassie Beer, Director of Women's Fund of Greater Fort Wayne
- Brenda Gerber-Vincent, Chief Growth Officer for Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
- Marshall White, Founder and CEO of Unity Performing Arts Foundation
