Sparwood Chamber of Commerce distributed the 2023 Sparwood Business Excellence Awards on Oct. 19 at Causeway Bay Hotel.
The community came together to celebrate the people who dedicate their time to lend a helping hand as well as the businesses that provide essential services and contribute to Sparwood’s quality of life.
Community
Joanne Wilton received the Citizen of the Year award. Wilton manages the Causeway Bay Hotel and is chair of the Sparwood Museum board.
She has lent countless hours to community causes. She offered free beds to travelers when roads closed and fed the firefighters this summer.
“She helps the community so much. She goes above and beyond for her staff, seniors and general community,” chamber administrator Andrea Flieger stated.
She played a major role in the renovation of the museum, which included the addition of a dinosaur display with replicas of fossilized footprints found in Teck Coal Line Creek Mine, the expansion of a collection of artifacts from Michel and Natal, and the creation of a new tribute to the victims of the 1967 Balmer North mine explosion.
Tammy Ogden accepted the Community Spirit Award. Ogden collaborates with Youth Action Sparwood, which organizes programs for youth between the ages of 12 and 18, including creative workshops, hiking trips, and socials. She also sourced sponsors for the senior’s tea party.
Addison Charest was the recipient of the Community Youth Award. Charest regularly volunteers her time at community, school and children’s events, and helps out with FJM Breakfast Club.
Elk Valley Thrift Shop Society won the Not-For-Profit award. The organization operates a second-hand store located in downtown Sparwood that sells clothing, kitchenware and home decor. Volunteers keep sustainability top-of-mind and items that are not sold are either relocated or repurposed. The society gives generously to community groups and causes. It donated $5,000 to Fernie Heritage Trust Society earlier this year to transform Knox United Church into a community performing arts space.
Sparwood Old Age Pensioners Society won the Business Scarecrow Competition.
Business
Buds & Blooms was honoured with the Retail Business award. Buds & Blooms is a local florist that crafts bouquets and flower arrangements. Flieger told The Free Press that store staff are friendly and hardworking and always go above and beyond to deliver quality customer service. She also mentioned that they have a great variety of products.
East Kootenay Pilot and Hot Shot Service won the Industrial Business award. They provide fast and efficient delivery of products and parts to corporations and businesses. They pick up parts from manufacturers and suppliers and deliver them to Canadian and American businesses. They deliver to multiple businesses in Sparwood, as well as Edmonton and Fort McMurray. They also provide Teck with products.
Phoenix Tree Counselling received the New Business award. Phoenix Tree provides counselling to youth and adults in Sparwood, Elkford and Fernie. Staff help clients learn practical strategies to process their emotions, handle challenging situations, develop strategies and improve their quality of life.
Blanc Noir Photography was given the award for Outstanding Customer Service. Blanc Noir is a landscape and lifestyle photography business operated by Samantha Batten. Batten has been running her business for six years. She offers photo shoots for life milestones like births, graduations and engagements and she takes photos at community events, more recently of the air cadets ceremony in the summer. She said she loves capturing life’s special moments.
“Samantha is a joy to work with and really goes above and beyond to make sure her customers are taken care of,” Flieger stated.