CENTRE WELLINGTON – The Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce held its Awards of Excellence on May 31, and if Sally Litchfield could rate the event, she’d give it an ‘F’ for “fantastic.”
“It was our first opportunity to do this in person in three years and it exceeded expectations,” said the chamber’s general manager said.
“We wanted to bring it back with a splash and I think we did. We had 200 people and you could just feel the energy in the room.”
The chamber did hold awards during the pandemic, but they were virtual, and it just wasn’t the same as live and in-person, she said.
But they did livestream Tuesday’s gala as well and that’s a practice she thinks the chamber will continue.
“We did it last year and through the livestream and replays it reached thousands of people,” Litchfield said.
“Families, friends, business connections – lots of people tuned in who would never attend in person.”
Ecclestone Financial Group was awarded the Corporate Citizen of the Year award. From left are: Allan Hons, sponsor Nate Martin (SV Law), Ted Ecclestone, Bryan Paul and Dannielle Gallant. Submitted photo
She added, “As our nominations grow, we could get too big for The GrandWay and we want to keep this event local.
“So to be able to watch from home makes it accessible to more people and increases our reach.”
The Chamber actually held two events. An earlier lunch launch on May 25 honoured long-service award winners – businesses who finished their first, 10th, 25th or 40th year in business in 2021.
“We had so many businesses we had to hold it separately,” she said.
Fourteen awards were handed out at the gala on May 31:
- Citizen of the Year – Neil Dunsmore;
- Youth Citizen of the Year – Abby Graham;
- Corporate Citizen of the Year – Ecclestone Financial Group;
- Community Social Responsibility – 100 Women Who Care Centre Wellington;
- President’s Award – Kristen Drexler;
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Parkinson’s Plumbing;
- Employer of the Year – BLR Drafting & Design;
- Not-for-Profit Award – Wellington Pregnancy Care Centre; and
- Environmental Excellence Award – Fusion Thetics.
Litchfield said the pandemic has been tough on businesses, who were variously affected by lockdowns, limited capacity, supply chain issues, staffing issues, illness, and rising costs.
So the growing number of businesses in Centre Wellington is testament to their resiliency and perseverance.
“And it speaks to the support the community has shown in shopping local,” Litchfield added.
BLR Drafting & Design was named Employer of the Year. Sponsor Chris Bailey, left, of Brighten Up Toys & Games, presented the award to winner Bernie Rosell. Submitted photo
Top citizen
Dunsmore credited his win to his mental health advocacy.
“Mental health is a huge issue … it touches almost every family in the community,” said Dunsmore.
He added mental health was a hidden crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dunsmore sits on the board of directors for the Waterloo-Wellington branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and has raised money for the Grove, a Fergus hub for mental health support, in addition to other advocacy projects.
CENTRE WELLINGTON COUNCILLOR NEIL DUNSMORE
“It’s the most rewarding position I have ever held,” said Dunsmore of being on the CMHA board.
In 2020 he walked from Elora to Ottawa for a “Steps to Stop the Silence” fundraiser benefitting the Cody Sheppard Project. Dunsmore wrote a book about the experience, donating proceeds from the first 500 copies to the Fergus Grove hub.
This is his second year being nominated for citizen of the year, with last year’s ceremony held online due to the pandemic,
“It was nice to just be able to get together,” he said, noting he was emotional upon hearing his name announced.
“I was incredibly moved,” and was not expecting to win, he added. “I was just happy to be included in the conversation.”
Dunsmore spoke of his fellow nominees and those he works with in this field, explaining “they do what they do for the cause; none of us do this for the applause.”
He’s especially glad his mental health advocacy will be highlighted through this acknowledgment.
“A great big thank you to the whole community,” he said.
Youth citizen
Eighteen-year-old student Abby Graham saw bullying happening at Centre Wellington District High School (CWDHS) and decided to act.
She developed the Kindness Pledge and the Unity March at CWDHS – both which focus on equity and inclusion – and it’s for those efforts she was named Youth Citizen of the Year by the chamber.
Graham helped plan the Unity March as a part of her school’s Student Action Committee to show support for marginalized students.
“I still felt like I wasn’t doing enough,” she said of the student walkout.
She then launched the Kindness Pledge, an initiative inviting members of the community to pledge to be more inclusive.
Abby Graham, centre, was named Youth Citizen of the Year. Sponsor Rob Galloway (Rotary Club Fergus Elora), left, and bursary sponsor Aaron Greene (RLB) presented the award. Submitted photo
Graham has also been involved in events like Renegade Rainbows, which saw chalk rainbows drawn on driveways for Pride month.
Graham says her advocacy’s been sparked by “just seeing the people around you and wanting the best for them.”
She did not expect to be recognized for her achievements and was surprised when she was informed she had been nominated for Youth Citizen of the Year .
“It was a cool experience,” said Graham of the gala, adding it was her first experience at such a formal event.
She never expected to actually win, she said, adding that her first thought when her name was called and she had to walk to the stage was “don’t trip.”
Growing up as a “shy, insecure kid,” Graham said it was great “having a reinforcement that people feel what I’m doing is really encouraging.”
She is finishing up her last year of high school and plans to attend the University of Ottawa next year for conflict studies and human rights.
“My main goal is to work for the UN,” she said.
CWCC general manager Sally Litchfield, left, presented the President’s Award to Kristen Drexler. Submitted photo
