Local businesses, residents recognized at Chamber awards
Posted Mar 5, 2010 By Sarah Kelford
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Tweet ThisEMC News - Richmond resident Bonnie Burton was named Goulbourn's Citizen of the Year at the 11th annual Kanata Chamber of Commerce People's Choice Business Awards last week.
"I'm very honoured to get this tonight," she said while accepting her award. There are so many wonderful volunteers in Richmond who also deserve this, so I'm going to accept this award for them, for the volunteers of St. John (the Baptist Anglican Church) and the Richmond area."
The Citizen of the Year award is given to an individual who has contributed his or her own talents to benefit their community in some exceptional manner, such as outstanding community service, charitable work or heroism.
When introducing Burton, emcee Angie Poirier from A Channel News described Burton as receiving "countless testimonials for dedication and commitment to fundraising and support for her community and parish."
Many voters noted that Burton is "tireless in her fundraising efforts and volunteerism, putting her heart and soul into every event she helps organize."
In addition to Burton's involvement with Hospice Ottawa, she runs the Sunday School program, organizes spring and fall vendor and craft fairs, as well as the Valentine's Magic Show and is "a tireless community builder and well deserving of this award."
Other awards
Cynthia Wing, chair of the People's Choice awards and incoming president, told the audience that nearly 7,000 votes were cast this year.
"This event is an exciting one where once again votes were cast by the local community acknowledging businesses, organizations, individuals of excellence within Kanata, Goulbourn and West Carleton," said Wing. "And how appropriate that this year's PCBAs has the Olympic theme. Just as every Canadian athlete is a champion for our country, each nominee is also a champion for their community by being recognized by peers, colleagues, friends, customers and the public at large."
The first awards of the evening were given to the Community Support Non-Profit Organization. In Goulbourn, this award went to Friends of Hospice Ottawa.
"Thank you very much on behalf of well over 100 volunteers we have in the community looking after people who deserve care at the end of their life and when they're ill," said board chair Beth Ada upon accepting the award.
The Restaurant of the Year award was accepted by Bassel Khalil of Napoli's Café, who has been in existence for 16 years.
"If you own a business, consider yourself a winner," he said, thanking his loyal customers. "We like to give back to the community as much as they give to us."
The Goulbourn Tourism Business of the Year was awarded to Saunders Farm.
Mark Saunders, upon receiving his award, thanked the community for all its support.
Blue Bamboo Yoga took home the award for Health and Wellness Business of the Year in Goulbourn.
HAIR Expectations was not in attendance, but was awarded the New Business of the Year award. Spotlight Hair Studio & Spa took home Small Business of the Year award for the second year in a row, and with the staff on stage, they were thanked for being dedicated and talented.
Wild Wood Steak Chophouse & Bar received the Large Business of the Year Award and thanked everyone upon accepting the trophy.
"So many amazing reasons tonight to celebrate the community, this area of Ottawa that you all work and live and play in," said Poirier.
"It is thriving, and it is growing every year and tonight you are all examples of that."
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