The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce Impact Awards return to the city on April 17th, and this year’s finalists have been announced!
As Chamber President, Paul Jenkins explains, it’s a night spent honouring the business community’s most dynamic organizations and entrepreneurs, highlighting all that St. Thomas, Elgin County, and the Township of Southwold have to offer.
The seven awards will be handed out from the Joe Thornton Community Centre, including the Circle of Excellence Award, Business of the Year Award, Barry Fitzgerald Young Professional of the Year Award, Inspirational Women Award, Young Professional of the Year, New Business of the Year, Unsung Heroes Non-Profit Award, and the Mayors’ Choice Award.
A breakdown of each award, as well as the finalists, can be found below…
Circle of Excellence Award: This honour recognizes a business, service organization and/or individual who has made significant, all-encompassing, and historic contributions serving St. Thomas, Central Elgin, and/or Southwold. The recipient is a true icon in their field and embodies leadership, innovation, success and community betterment.
· Jim Collins – Harvest Hands
· Judith Wiley – Central Community Health Centre
· The Yarmouth Group
Business of the Year Award: This honour recognizes a business that has made an extraordinary and significant contribution to St. Thomas, Central Elgin, and/or Southwold over the past year. The recipient will be a stand-out member of our Chamber community whose performance, actions, and service have demonstrated consistent excellence for their customers and employees alike.
· Evelyn’s Sausage Kitchen
· Pepper Tree Spice Co.
· Redemption Tent Events
Inspirational Women Award: This honour recognizes a woman (or woman-led enterprise) serving St. Thomas, Central Elgin, and/or Southwold who has taken on and succeeded at extraordinary challenges in their field. The recipient will be an inspirational trailblazer – one whose mentorship of others has set an exemplary standard to emulate.
· Kim Destun – St. Thomas Fire Department
· Our Place Respite Inc.
· Sarah Harrison – Greenfields Therapy Farm
Barry Fitzgerald Young Professional of the Year Award: This honour celebrates an individual serving St. Thomas, Central Elgin, and/or Southwold (under age 40 as of nomination) who embodies the spirit, passion, and compassion of our next generation. The recipient is someone with vision, perseverance, and a record of achievement that inspires others and strengthens our community. Presented in memory of the late Barry Fitzgerald, this award also pays tribute to his many years of guiding and encouraging young entrepreneurs, and the lasting impact of his mentorship.
· Breanna Reid – Graham Scott Enns
· Ainslee Tracey – Royal LePage Triland
· Briar McCaw – Elgin County Drowning Prevention
New Business of the Year: This honour recognizes a business, service organization, and/or individual serving St. Thomas, Central Elgin, and/or Southwold whose full-time enterprise has been in continuous operation for more than one year and less than three years, as of nomination. The recipient is one who has earned exceptional recognition from their peers and community for their initiative, innovation, creativity, and impact.
· Club Champion Lounge
· Petals of Love
· Taco House Co.
Unsung Heroes Non-Profit Award: The Unsung Heroes Award recognizes a local charity or service organization whose unique focus is the betterment of our community. The recipient’s extraordinary contribution to our civic life makes a tangible difference in our community and help ensure St. Thomas, Central Elgin, and/or Southwold remain such an incredible place to live, work, and play.
· Dr. Joe Mai – Central Community Health Center (CCHC)
· Fresh Start Services
· Ignite Youth Centre
Mayors’ Choice Award: The Mayors’ Choice Award is a distinguished honour that highlights exceptional community impact across the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce region. The Mayors of the City of St. Thomas, the Municipality of Central Elgin, and the Township of Southwold are invited to submit three nominations each. This award recognizes a business, service organization, or individual that has demonstrated outstanding dedication to community service, leadership, and positive contribution to the social or economic well-being of St. Thomas, Central Elgin, and/or Southwold.
· Mike Choi – Country Grocery Inc. (Jones’ Choice)
· Element5 (Preston’s Choice)
· New Sarum Diner (Sloan’s Choice)
Written by: Kennedy Freeman
