RUSH LIMBAUGH GREAT AMERICAN BUSINESS AWARD
Rush firmly believed that you, the American people, make our country work. As Rush said, “The degree of entrepreneurship and creativity in this country is incredible, you can’t hold it back.”
Rush understood that starting and maintaining a small business takes tremendous determination, risk, and many long hours. Every day we hear from members of Rush’s audience who were inspired to pursue their passions after hearing him on the radio. In early 2021, Rush and Kathryn set aside a special fund to support and encourage business owners, specifically through difficult times like the global pandemic. In Rush’s honor, we will provide grants to small business owners so they may continue to invest in their American Dream.
Below you will meet several recipients of the Rush Limbaugh Great American Business Award. If you know of a deserving small business owner who should be recognized, please nominate where noted.
FEATURED AWARD RECIPIENTS
Back the Blue NC, Inc.
Back The Blue NC, Inc. started on July 6th, 2020 as a Facebook group to help unite North Carolina Law Enforcement Officers, families, and supporters, and was awarded $8,000 live on The Rush Limbaugh Show in 2021. After immediate tremendous growth, it became their goal to support and honor the men and women in blue through community events and fundraising. Then, on September 10th, 2020, NC lost its first Officer since their formation – Deputy Ryan Hendrix of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Hendrix was shot and killed after responding to a reported attempted vehicle break-in, leaving behind a fiancée and his two young children.
At that moment that Back The Blue NC’s mission changed – to help support the families of officers killed in the line of duty. Our first beneficiary payout was made to his two children in the sum of $10,000 it was deposited into their trust funds.
Since then, Back the Blue has helped assist several other families of officers killed in the line of duty. To provide these families with financial assistance during these difficult times, they rely on donations. For more information, visit www.backthebluenc.org.
Gifted
Naoemi Gullickson of Staten Island, New York, knows how to find light within the darkness of tragedy. Naoemi and her late husband, Joseph, had dreamed of opening a small gift shop in New York. However, when Joe, a NY firefighter, volunteered to cover a friend’s shift on September 11, 2001, their family’s life changed forever. Determined to stay positive for her two young daughters, Naoemi opened the “Gifted” shop in Joe’s honor. Established in 2006, the shop supplies gifts sourced from small American craftspeople in the heart of Staten Island.
Although Covid-19 has introduced new struggles, Naoemi has not given up. Like Rush, she has found strength in optimism and resilience through hardships. Her community and many of Joe’s firefighter friends continue to rally around her and their family. The Gifted shop has brought Naoemi great joy and healing, while serving as a place of unity for her community. Please see Naoemi’s beautiful online store here.
FEATURED AWARD RECIPIENTS
Back the Blue NC, Inc.
Back The Blue NC, Inc. started on July 6th, 2020 as a Facebook group to help unite North Carolina Law Enforcement Officers, families, and supporters, and was awarded $8,000 live on The Rush Limbaugh Show in 2021. After immediate tremendous growth, it became their goal to support and honor the men and women in blue through community events and fundraising. Then, on September 10th, 2020, NC lost its first Officer since their formation – Deputy Ryan Hendrix of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Hendrix was shot and killed after responding to a reported attempted vehicle break-in, leaving behind a fiancée and his two young children.
At that moment that Back The Blue NC’s mission changed – to help support the families of officers killed in the line of duty. Our first beneficiary payout was made to his two children in the sum of $10,000 it was deposited into their trust funds.
Since then, Back the Blue has helped assist several other families of officers killed in the line of duty. To provide these families with financial assistance during these difficult times, they rely on donations. For more information, visit www.backthebluenc.org.
Gifted
Naoemi Gullickson of Staten Island, New York, knows how to find light within the darkness of tragedy. Naoemi and her late husband, Joseph, had dreamed of opening a small gift shop in New York. However, when Joe, a NY firefighter, volunteered to cover a friend’s shift on September 11, 2001, their family’s life changed forever. Determined to stay positive for her two young daughters, Naoemi opened the “Gifted” shop in Joe’s honor. Established in 2006, the shop supplies gifts sourced from small American craftspeople in the heart of Staten Island.
Although Covid-19 has introduced new struggles, Naoemi has not given up. Like Rush, she has found strength in optimism and resilience through hardships. Her community and many of Joe’s firefighter friends continue to rally around her and their family. The Gifted shop has brought Naoemi great joy and healing, while serving as a place of unity for her community. Please see Naoemi’s beautiful online store here.
IN THE NEWS
NOMINATE A SMALL BUSINESS
Do you know of a small business owner who exemplifies the ideals that Rush so often spoke about on the radio including hard work, perseverance, determination and passion? Please share details about the business below indicating how Rush’s words or presence on the radio were part of the journey.
