The Rhineland Pioneer Centre shimmered with elegance April 18 as the community gathered for the Altona and District Chamber of Commerce 2024 awards Gala.
It was an opportunity to recognize and celebrate local businesses and organizations for making a difference and shaping the future of the community either through exceptional customer service and business growth or their overall positive impact.
Altona EDO Stephanie Harris launched the celebration by saying “our community is tightly woven together by the desire to achieve, inspire and spread positivity. Together, we make up an amazing group of people, and we would not be here without each other.”
Altona Mayor Harv Schroeder told guests he felt very lucky to have witnessed Altona’s growth over the years.
“As we applaud the achievements of these businesses and organizations, I’d also like to acknowledge all the people who work behind the scenes: the employees, the managers, the consumers and everyone involved in supporting and creating our local businesses.”
Rhineland Reeve Don Wiebe referred to the municipality’s vision statement, which describes it as a region with a vibrant and diversified economy.
“It is quite evident that through the efforts of SEED, RNIP, the chamber, new businesses and community service ventures and existing businesses, we are fostering this diversity. This then becomes part of our heritage.”
The event saw Sun Valley Co-op receive the business excellence award with 11 employees or more.
Sun Valley Co-op employs over 150 staff, providing quality products and services and returning millions of dollars to over 8,000 members since the co-op was formed. Sun Valley Co-op has 10 locations made up of gas bars, home centres, bulk petroleum, cardlocks, car washes and food stores operating out of Altona, Morris, St Jean, Dominion City and Emerson. It also supports the community through donations, volunteerism efforts and capital investments.
“We were very surprised and humbled,” said board chair Kevin Bell. “There’s so many wonderful businesses and organizations in the Altona area, we feel very fortunate to win this.”
“I’d just like to say thank you for the support from all of the members. I’d like to give a huge thank you to all of our employees and their dedication in looking after our members so Sun Valley Co-op can continue to grow and keep giving back to the community.
“Community support is very much a two-way street,” added Bell. “When members spend money at our locations on goods, we return the profits back to them in cash and equity. We also give out donations to help worthwhile causes in the community to get them off the ground and going too. Most of our bottom line comes right back into the community which really sets us apart from a lot of other businesses.”
The business excellence award with 10 employees or less was presented to Agassiz Massage Therapy.
Offering massage therapy, physiotherapy and acupuncture services, it opened in April 2022 with one massage therapist. In just two years, they have grown to three staff with specialties that complement each other.
Agassiz Massage Therapy has supported the Kiddie Sunshine Centre and programs at Ecole Parkside School and W.C. Miller Collegiate. They also continue to support hospital activity books for kids and look forward to mentoring massage therapy students in the future.
Owner Brittany Dyck thanked her family and friends for their support, and her staff for showing care in everything.
“And lastly, I want to thank you, our community and our clients, for trusting us with your care. Two years ago, I left a comfortable job to start a brand new business. And here I am. Our staff and our clients have become a community to share with, to learn from, to help and to heal.”
The Community Exchange (TCE) was honoured as the non-profit of the year in recognition of its vision to build community connections through gatherings around food, learning
Photo by Lori Penner/Voice
