The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) executive advisory board has selected United Against Human Trafficking (UAHT) as the 2020 beneficiary for its Distinguished Achievement Awards event.
The mission of UAHT is to end human trafficking by preventing exploitation, educating the community, and empowering survivors. Through awareness, UAHT turns the attention to the atrocity of human trafficking by empowering communities to join their strategy to address this human rights violation.
“The executive advisory board selected United Against Human Trafficking as this year’s beneficiary because of their commitment to ending this violent abuse of human rights by education and empowerment,” said Cindy Yeilding, chairperson of the OTC Board of Directors. “On behalf of the OTC Board of Directors, it is our honor to help end human trafficking through our 6-year partnership with UAHT, as well as to support them financially thanks to an influential group of executives in our industry and community.”
Elaine Andino, director of donor and external partnerships for UAHT, said, “We value our ongoing partnership with OTC and appreciate their commitment to shining a light on the realities of both sex and labor trafficking. It is a joy to accept this generous gift, which enables us to continue fighting for the most vulnerable in our society so that all may live free.”
The 2020 Distinguished Achievement Awards event is scheduled for 4 May, during the 4-day conference at NRG Center in Houston, and will kick off the week on a high note where the Distinguished Achievement Award recipients and the beneficiary will be honored. Because of the faithful support of industry-leading companies, more than $2 million has been donated to worthy organizations in the past 9 years. In 2019, OTC raised enough money to donate $300,000 to Spindletop Charities, benefitting at-risk youth in Houston.
“The Distinguished Achievement Awards Event is a multipurpose opportunity to celebrate the positive impact of the offshore sector as well as give back to those in our community who need it most,” Yeilding said. “Not only can OTC 2020 attendees network with fellow professionals and nominate people and organizations for important industry accomplishments, but, in doing so, they support a worthy cause.”
Past OTC beneficiaries include Medical Bridges, Offshore Energy Center, Engineers Without Borders, Oilfield Helping Hands, the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy in Houston, and Spindletop Charities. In 2017 OTC also gave to the Houston community by donating to the Salvation Army in their relief efforts after the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey.