Nancy Wilmot is used to telling other people’s stories. So when the SHAW TV journalist’s name was announced as winner of the Citizen of the Year award last Friday, she was speechless.
Wilmot was one of several winners at the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce’s annual Community Excellence Awards, held at the Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel.
“I really, truly did not expect this,” she said as past recipient Pam Craig introduced her. “I am truly honoured to share your stories.”
Each nominee in the 12 different categories was profiled, and presenters had a chance to talk about their businesses as well before announcing the winners.
“What’s so great about these awards is they’re spread around town,” said Morgan Kennah of Island Timberlands, who presented the Image Enhancement Award to Jeff Stephenson from Sproat Lake Landing.
Mayor John Douglas said the number of businesses honoured at the awards underlines the direction the city is going toward diversification. “I think that’s a really good direction to be going.”
FULL LIST OF WINNERS:
◆ SOCIAL MEDIA AWARD: Finishing Touches.
◆ GREEN AWARD: The Salvation Army.
◆ IMAGE ENHANCEMENT AWARD: Sproat Lake Landing.
◆ RISING STAR AWARD: Jiffy Lube.
◆ YOUTH OF THE YEAR AWARD: Nathaniel Wynans.
◆ TOURISM & HOSPITALITY AWARD: Lady Rose Marine Services.
◆ CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARD: Bob Kanngiesser.
◆ VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD: Gareth Flostrand.
◆ SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: Boutique Belles Amies.
◆ CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD: Dani Hovind, Tim Hortons.
◆ BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD: LIttle Bavaria.
◆ CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD: Nancy Wilmot.