Those who received awards during the annual Olds and District Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Banquet are highly deserving, presenters say.
Those who received awards during the annual Olds and District Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Banquet are highly deserving, presenters say.
Six businesses or organizations and one youth received awards during the event, held this past Thursday, Oct. 16 at the Olds College Alumni Centre.
The Business of the Year (15 or fewer employees) award was presented to The Lady Bug Studio.
The Business of the Year (16 or more employees) award went to BARR-AG Ltd.
The Community Spirit (for-profit businesses/organizations) award went to Boston Pizza Olds.
The Olds & District Hospice Society received the Community Spirit (non-profit organizations) award.
PreferredRX Pharmacy was presented with the People's Choice award.
The Exceptional Customer Service (Employee) award went to Richard Collins, of B & M Home Hardware Building Centre.
Shaelynn Moritz, CLC Fitness Centre, received the Youth Employee of the Year award.
The theme for the event was Back To Basics – Re-energize Your Business.
Chamber vice-president Melanie Hepp praised The Lady Bug Studio.
She said there, customers "will find helpful, solid advice, beautiful work, attention to detail, on-time, on-budget products and services. You can count on customer service above expectations on a consistent basis."
Hepp said the business "supports the community through donations and volunteerism."
Brian Hepp, Melanie's husband, sang the praises of Business of the Year (16 or more employees) winner BARR-AG Ltd.
He described the company, established in 2004, as "one of Canada's leading exporters of forage."
"Barry and Nancy Schmitt run a family-owned, farm-to-farm operation specializing in growing, processing and exporting forage products to international markets," he added. "They enjoy long-standing relationships with their customers, producers and core group of employees."
Hepp said the company runs two value-added plants in Alberta to process and package their product around the world. One of those plants is located east of Olds.
"Unlike most hay exporters, they grow 60 per cent of what they sell, giving them a competitive advantage," he said.
Brian said Community Spirit (for-profit businesses/organizations) winner Boston Pizza Olds "prides themselves" on the many charities and community groups they support. He cited a long list of them, ranging from charities and fundraisers, to local sports teams.
The Olds & District Hospice Society received the Community Spirit (non-profit organizations) award.
Brian noted the hospice society grew from an idea among four people in 2007 to a 10-member board.
"It was discovered that 80 per cent of Canadians want quality hospice care at the end of life but less than 15 per cent actually have access to it," he said. "Seeing a real need in Olds, the four of them began the long journey of raising funds to make this possible."
He said the board consists of professionals and others with varied experience, including "those who have walked the palliative journey with their own loved ones."
In addition, Brian said, it has a solid base of 37 volunteers to help out.
As a result, he said, the Olds & District Hospice Society "is on its way to achieving the goal of making quality hospice care available in our community in a home-like setting."
Brian said the Olds & District Hospice Society offers bereavement support sessions twice a year at no cost to those attending "and has had excellent reviews from those attending."
The long-term goal of the society is to develop partnerships in providing a community-based facility dedicated to the care of individuals facing the end of life.
In order to do this, they have to do a lot of fundraising. The Hike For Hospice provides a major amount of dollars, as do memorial donations of those who have passed away.
Brian said according to customers, People's Choice award winners Preferred RX Pharmacy "has a great team that provides friendly and efficient service. They offer very knowledgeable advice to their customers and take the time to get to know them. They are very helpful and take the extra time to answer questions and truly care about their customers."
Exceptional Customer Service (Employee) award winner Richard Collins, has been in the building trades industry for 38 years and began working at B & M Home Hardware in Olds seven years ago.
Melanie Hepp praised Collins for his work ethic and customer service.
"Richard encourages other employees at B & M Home Hardware Building Centre to go above and beyond what's normally expected by customers," she said.
She said according to Collins, people leave the business truly grateful when employees take that extra step to ensure they've received a high level of service.
"Customers comment that Richard's a really great guy, friendly, efficient, very knowledgeable and gives great advice," Melanie said.
Melanie also praised Youth Employee of the Year award winner Shaelynn Moritz of the CLC Fitness Centre.
"Shaelyn is an extraordinary, hard-working individual and is known for taking a leadership role at work and in life," she said. "Shaelynn is intrinsically motivated and always excited to take on new tasks to broaden her skill set and knowledge base.
"She's earned the respect and trust of not only the staff, but also community members, athletes and her peer student body.
