Secretary Wyman presents Seahawks officials with a medallion and certificate at the VMAC. (Photos courtesy Philip Kerrigan) 

Secretary of State Kim Wyman has presented the Seahawks a special national medallion for exceptional public service through its charitable and community-building efforts.

Wyman made the presentation in a ceremony Wednesday at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton. She hailed the team and the organization for “giving so humbly and making such a difference in this state and region. We honor you not just because you are Super Bowl champs, although that is amazing, but because you have a culture of taking care of the community.”

The award was accepted by Peter McLoughlin, president and CEO, and Chuck Arnold, COO.  Russell Okung represented the team.

Seahawks offensive lineman Russell Okung with Secretary Wyman and her staff.

The Medallion of the National Association of Secretaries of State is a national honor reserved for individuals, companies and organizations that provide meritorious service to their states and communities. They are often given for civic and voter engagement; in Washington, they have gone to small and large companies that give back to their communities in a significant way.

Washington’s project is called Corporations for Communities, or C4C: http://tinyurl.com/ybheyur .

Secretary Wyman said the Seahawks have been “spectacular citizens of our state, inspiring us with their athletic skills and their devotion to the public good.

“At a time when there is so much strife and division, the Seahawks have been a unifying force in our state and the whole Pacific Northwest,” she said. “People put on their jerseys and watch at home, neighborhood pub or at the stadium and our spirits are lifted. The last two Super Bowl seasons have been amazing for us to experience – such civic pride.”

Wyman saluted the Seahawks organization and players for partnering with her office to raise money for charity, and for a whole host of direct charity work throughout the region.

The Seahawks loaned the Combined Fund Drive the Lombardi Trophy for CFD’s 30^th Birthday Party at the Capitol in July, netting $7,700 for charity. Game tickets brought in over $10,000 from online auctions and a Seahawks-themed “Give 12” challenge brought in more than 60 new donors and raised over $3,000. The team also provided Seahawks alum Paul Johns as featured speaker for the CFD Leadership Breakfast.

The Seahawks support thousands of community causes throughout the Northwest with a focus on the healthy development of youth through academics, athletics and programs that develop character. The outreach extends to other causes that are vital to the 12s, including military, health and wellness and social responsibility.

At every home game, members of community-based nonprofits distribute the Seahawks Gameday Magazine, keeping 100 percent of the proceeds which are then matched by The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. This year’s Spirit of 12 Partners raised $527,870, the highest total since the program began in 2004. The partners included Boys & Girls Clubs Washington State Association, Camp Fire Snohomish County, Girl Scouts of Western Washington, Treehouse and YMCA. This year’s junior partners were Bike Works and Encompass. In the 10-year history of the program, more than $2.7 million has been given to local charities.

The Seahawks’ players and personnel keep a heavy schedule of appearances in hospitals, schools, youth clinics and football camps, charitable events, military installations and more. During their gameday drives, they have collected school supplies, food and joined with the Marines to collect toys for the Toys for Tots program.

Said Wyman:

“The breadth of the Hawks’ contribution to the charitable community and to their own direct charitable works has been outstanding, and it is good for the state of Washington to say so. They deserve an A for awesome!”