The Wallaceburg and District Chamber of Commerce held their 25th annual Business and Community Excellence Awards on Wednesday night, November 2, 2022 at the Sydenham Community Curling Club.
One of the new features of the event were the Legacy Awards, where three late community builders were recognized for their contributions to the community.
The families of Steve Bilodeau, Gord Childs and Rex Crawford were on hand at the event, as all three were honoured with memorial awards.
The Chip Gordon Citizen of the Year Award was captured by Dresden’s Dina and Gary Edwards.
“It is an incredible honour,” Dina Edwards shared on social media.
Business of the Year went to the J. Thomas McGregor Professional Corporation.
“Tom and I would like to thank the community and the Wallaceburg and District Chamber of Commerce, fellow lawyer Joe Amelia and legal assistants Suzy, Paula, Brittany, Lorrie and Carla for the honour of receiving the ‘Business of the Year’ award,” Wallaceburg Councillor Carmen McGregor said on social media.
“Our success is in our work family.”
Samantha McFadden, from Riverview GM in Wallaceburg, captured the Young Professional Award.
“I am still in complete shock but absolutely honoured to win the Young Professional Award for the Wallaceburg Chamber of Commerce,” McFadden said on social media.
“Thank you so much to my friends, family and community for all your support over the years. This would not have been possible without all of you.”
Volunteer of the Year went to the Re:Find Charity Thrift Shoppe.
“It was an honour for Re:Find to be nominated for the Wallaceburg and District Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Award and a huge thrill to win,” Re:Find said on Facebook.
“Thank you to the community for this wonderful recognition.”
Honeylocust Homestead captured the Agricultural Award, Dave McCready from Angler’s Choice was named Entrepreneur of the Year, Select Finishing Ltd. captured the Industrial Award and the Community Inclusion Award, Chad Debot won the Technology Award, Eleena Shepley captured the Women in Business Award, Gene Schepens won the Wallaceburg BIA Award and Karen Debergh was recognized with a Lifetime Membership Achievement Award.
“So proud to house the Chamber Business Excellence Award night,” the Sydenham Community Curling Club said on social media.
“Congrats to the winners and Jill Misselbrook (the Chamber’s Executive Director) on a wonderful event.”
Here is a list of all the nominees:
Agricultural Award
– Honeylocust Homestead – winner
– J&E Meats
– Old Red Barn
– Tacq’s Garden Market
Business of the Year
– Comic Oasis
– J. Thomas McGregor Professional Corporation – winner
– The Outdoor Store
Chip Gordon Citizen of the Year
– Bernard (Bun) Lozon
– Gary and Dina Edwards – winner
– Jamie Latimer
Entrepreneurs of the Year
– Dave McCready – Angler’s Choice – winner
– Haight-Ashbury
– James St. Eatery
Industrial Award
– Steve Bilodeau Inc.
– Select Finishing Ltd. – winner
Technology Award
– Chad Debot – winner
– Jackie VanderLinden (Holistic Jackie)
– TekSavvy
Volunteer of the Year
– Leesa Erving
– Re:Find – winner
– ROCK Missions
Women in Business
– Erin Erickson
– Eleena Shepley – winner
– Lisa Holland
– Melissa Patterson
Young Professional Award
– Joe Amelia
– Paige Sneath
– Samantha McFadden – winner
Community Inclusion Award
– Aarkel Tool & Die
– Rulmeca Ltd
– Select Finishing Ltd. – winner
Wallaceburg BIA Award
– Gene Schepens – winner
