{"id":35315,"date":"2024-10-31T16:35:26","date_gmt":"2024-10-31T20:35:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/?p=35315"},"modified":"2024-11-07T17:12:32","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T22:12:32","slug":"business-excellence-recognized-and-celebrated-at-annual-chamber-gala","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/business-excellence-recognized-and-celebrated-at-annual-chamber-gala\/","title":{"rendered":"Business Excellence recognized and celebrated at annual Chamber gala"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It was a night of celebration in the local business community on Wednesday evening as the Aurora Chamber of Commerce honoured the best of the best at their annual Business Excellence Awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Held at the Royal Venetian Mansion and emceed by Mike Smith of Smith Rogers Financial, the gala honoured businesses and non-profits for their community participation, skilled trades, and personal, seniors\u2019 and food services. For the first time this year, members of the public had a chance to take part in the process as the Chamber rolled out their inaugural People\u2019s Choice Award, which saw more than 2,000 votes come in from the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI really do want to thank all of you for the critical role you play in our community,\u201d said Mayor Tom Mrakas, acknowledging both the Chamber and the evening\u2019s nominees. \u201cIt is pretty clear that a big part of the community\u2019s strength lies with its local businesses and non-profits. All of you truly help strengthen Aurora each and every day. Not only are you helping grow our economy, providing great job opportunities for people, you simply make our community more dynamic and help ensure we continue to have that very high quality of life Aurora has become known for. The truth is you all play a central role in helping us attract more investments to Aurora as we continue to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I meet with businesses looking to potentially open up in Aurora, they tell me that a big factor in their decision is how strong the local business community is and that is because they want to be a part of a community that has amazing things to offer their families and the families of their employees. They also want to be in a community where there are other inventors and people on the cutting-edge of their industries. The reality is we\u2019re welcoming new businesses to Aurora all the time and we\u2019re diversifying our economy. You all deserve a lot of credit to make that happen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NON-PROFIT AWARD \u2013 York Region Food Network<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Finalists: Addiction Services Central Ontario, Canadian Mental Health Association York Region and South Simcoe, Yellow Brick House)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first award of the evening honoured non-profits that work tirelessly to support the community and demonstrate leadership within it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking top honours this year was the York Region Food Network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a video before the winner was announced, York Region Food Network (YRFN) Executive Director Kate Greavette said they are dedicated to \u201cbuild a more inclusive, connected and healthy community\u201d through myriad programs, including their Community Kitchen classes, Good Food Boxes distributing fresh and healthy options to the community, and their growing list of local markets which offer the community fresh produce at \u201ca fraction of the price of grocery stores.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEverything we do is about building community connections, building relationships, and making sure we provide dignified food access\u2026impacting food insecurity,\u201d said Greavette. \u201cWe are very grateful to the Aurora Chamber of Commerce for the recognition and to be in this category.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SENIORS SUPPORT PROVIDER AWARD \u2013 TIE: Chartwell Park Place & Delmanor Aurora<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Nominees: HosPall Private Homecare, The Roxborough Retirement Residence)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two of the community\u2019s seniors\u2019 residences shared top honours in this category, which recognizes outstanding service for senior citizens in facilities, housing, and in-home care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to their nomination, Chartwell Park Place said since their foundation in 1991 they have been \u201cpretty much the pioneers in the retirement industry here in Aurora.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe offer more housing, quality of life for older adults with all the amenities, all the services that they need, as well as care and loving staff and above all this is their new home, so they are able to have family and friends into this so-called mansion. Internally and externally, we have always been supportive of the community. I love being a part of the communities we live in. Because we have over 25 years, and almost 30 years of experience, we are the leaders in this industry and we are continuously improving\u2026 training our staff, making sure we have those top-notch quality services we have to offer residents.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accepting the award, Patti Smith said Chartwell \u201cjust loves to serve the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am proud to say that my journey started with Chartwell when I looked for my father and I knew this is what I wanted to do. It\u2019s an honour and a pleasure to serve your seniors in your community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accepting the award on behalf of Delmanor was Julie Shuster, Community Relations Manager for the residence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is a really great honour and I want to congratulate everyone else in our category,\u201d she said. \u201cDelmanor is two-and-a-half years old and we couldn\u2019t be more proud to be a part of the Aurora community. Tridel is our parent company and we always take great pride whenever we bring a building to a community, to become a part of the community. Thank you so much for this honour.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AWARD \u2013 MR Menswear<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Nominees: Canadian Federation of University Women Aurora\/Newmarket, Key Advantage Team, Javed S. Khan)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MR Meanswear and owner Mike Rathke were celebrated with the Community Participation Award, which recognizes a business or employer who shows a strong commitment to giving back through participation in businesses and community organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rathke and his business were honoured for their tireless support of Southlake Regional Health Centre and its Regional Cancer Centre, a cause very close to his heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have been around a while and I love this business and love the community,\u201d said Rathke, a two-time cancer survivor who received tremendous support from Southlake. \u201cWe just announced this past year at our fashion show that we had raised $75,000 and we are now just shy of a quarter-of-a-million.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PERSONAL SERVICE PROVIDER AWARD \u2013 Transcend Wellness Connection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Nominees: Crown Hair Lounge, Faceology Mobile Facial Spa, Starks Barber Company)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a category honouring personal service providers that exhibit extraordinary professional service and support to the community, Transcend Wellness Connection came out on top for their \u201cunique therapeutic treatments in a calming, home-like environment\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur practitioners focus on providing balanced care that engages both body and mind, addressing both physical and emotional symptoms,\u201d said owner Juliette Sharone. \u201cWhether it is sleep disorders or various physical conditions, we\u2019re here to help. From the moment our clients walk through the doors, we aim to create a space where they can decompress and leave their stresses in the outside world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you so much for this incredible honour \u2013 you\u2019ll have to forgive me, I\u2019m a massage therapist, so I am used to everybody being face-down and not looking at me when I am talking! At Transcend Wellness Connection, we believe in the power of community and teamwork. I think this is a reflection of that. I am super proud of their commitment and every individual in the team is what has made this possible. We provide exceptional care and support to our patients and this recognition means the world to us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOOD SERVICE\/HOSPITALITY AWARD \u2013 (Tie) Wicked Eats & The Armoury<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Nominees: A Million Mouthfuls Catering and Locale Aurora)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was another shared award in the Food Service\/Hospitality category with restaurant Wicked Eats being recognized alongside the Armoury, home for Niagara College\u2019s Canadian Food & Wine Institute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was something of a full circle moment for Wicked Eats owner Robert Stewart, who was raised in Aurora, but came back to the community 60 years later following his retirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI moved here in 2019 after leaving the corporate world,\u201d he said, recognizing his team with thanks. \u201cMy last thought was to get back into the restaurant business. These are the reasons why you get back into the restaurant business.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Restaurants, he said, were part of the \u201cfabric of society,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRestaurants, as everyone knows, got the crap kicked out of it and I am just glad we\u2019re still kicking and screaming,\u201d he concluded. \u201cThis [award is] for my staff.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the Armoury team was unable to attend the ceremony, in a video shared with the audience, Events and Hospitality Manager Emily Hlusko-Huard says the Armoury prides itself on fostering emerging industry talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are operated under the Niagara College Learning Enterprise corporation, which is a non-profit subsidy of Niagara College. All of our revenues are re-invested into education and we focus on hiring the next level of hospitality professional,\u201d she said. \u201cWe are here because of our community, so we think it is extremely important or people to give back to organizations like the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame and, outside Aurora, to Inn from the Cold, supporting our community in that need. We\u2019re over the moon about this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SKILLED TRADES AWARD \u2013 North Rock Group<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Nominees: De Ville Group of Companies, Summers & Smith Cooling and Heating, and Tri-Tech Pinnacle)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Skilled Trades Award recognizes excellence in the skilled trades that consistently provide excellent services and customer experiences \u2013 and this year\u2019s winner, North Rock Group, is an organization that provides services to all of Aurora, but often fly under the radar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Construction contractors, they are often among the team working hard to re-line local sewer and water pipes, and working on other kinds of infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAny major disaster that happens in the world, what people want is clean water,\u201d said Northern Rock co-founder George Di Pede, whose nomination video showed he and his crew at a water pipe relining site. \u201cWe\u2019re really proud of what we do. Once we\u2019re done [with a project], the way we look at it is we\u2019re like a rose bush: when we\u2019re there, we\u2019re the thorns when all is painful; when we get to the end, at the top is a beautiful rose.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PEOPLE\u2019S CHOICE AWARD: Oakridge\u2019s Fashions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Runners-Up: Aristica Ballroom Dancing & Thrive Gymnastics)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Aurora Chamber of Commerce\u2019s inaugural People\u2019s Choice Award went to a business that prides itself on its wide-reaching clientele: Oakridge\u2019s Fashions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Store owner Deb Clark told the audience her \u201cheart has been very, very full\u201d not only by the nomination, but by being in the company of the other nominees across the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs I listen to all the work so many of you have been doing, and to the great joy that comes to be a nominee, it strikes me we\u2019re all in this room incredibly blessed to have the support of one another,\u201d she said. \u201cI think I am very blessed I had a mother who taught me at a very young age that hard work never killed anyone and a father who instilled in me a real love of being kind and supporting your community. I am incredibly blessed to have a rockstar husband in my Joe who champions everything I attempt and is always there to give me the most loving support and guidance, and a great son and daughter as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am blessed to walk into Oakridge\u2019s every day to a team of colleagues who really genuinely believe that their number-one goal all day long is to take every woman who walks through that door and makes her feel wonderful as she turns around and walks back out. I am very grateful to have Oakridge\u2019s Fashions as, yes, a job, but as a venue and an opportunity to do the thing I love to do and to honour those words of my mum and my dad and to give back to our wonderful community that\u2026we\u2019re so very lucky to live in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Brock Weir<\/strong><\/p>\n\r\n\"Facebook\"<\/a>\"twitter\"<\/a>\"mail\"<\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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