The Foundation annually recognizes an individual or individuals who have made significant contributions to improve the lives of children and promote education at its Children's Friend Award. These individuals provide services to strengthen individuals, families, education and community life.

Past recipients include:

1998 - Dr. Ray Barton, retired physician
1999 - Kurt Bestor, nationally acclaimed
           Utah-based composer and performer
2000 - Louie Cononelos, Kennecott Director of
           Government and Public Affairs
2001 - Mark Eaton, retired NBA legend and sports
           personality
2002 - Richard Paul Evans, New York Times Best
           Selling Author
2003 - Mark O. Haroldsen, author, entrepreneur, financier,
           philanthropist
2004 - Forrest Baker, III, CEO, Feature Films for Families
2005 - Fred Lampropoulos, Merit Medical, CEO
2006 - Robert and Catherine Pedersen, entrepreneur, financier,
           philanthropists
2007 - Larry and Patricia Bradshaw, consultant for Salomon
           Smith Barney
2008 - Warren Tate, owner-partner in Tate/Brubaker Real Estate
           Services
2009 - Kathy and Jack Newton, philanthropists and past winner of
           Huntsman Award for Excellence in Education
2010 - Fred & Jill Healey, entrepreneur, philanthropist
2011 - Scott and Susan Whipple, educator and founding member of
           the Granite Education Foundation
2012 - O. Randall "Randy" Woodbury, president of Woodbury Corporation

As part of the evening's festivities, items donated by a vast array of contributors and sponsors are auctioned. Monies raised from the auction are used to help impoverished children and to assist in scholarship funds for deserving students. Additionally, funds are used to send hundreds of children to Mill Hollow, an outdoor science education/recreation community located 63 miles southeast of Salt Lake City in a secluded alpine canyon on the south rim of the Uinta Mountains.

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