Steinbach businesses celebrate awards

The Steinbach Chamber of Commerce handed out their annual business awards on Nov. 13 in front of a packed house at the Mennonite Heritage Village.

Awards are chosen by a selection committee with the exception of the customer service award, chosen by votes from the public.

This year the customer service award was presented to Crossing Funeral Care. Other nominees included Oak Leaf Promotions, Fairway Ford, Super Splash Auto Cleaning, The Rental House, Smitty’s Steinbach, Canadian Tire and Let’s Celebrate Rentals.

This year’s non-profit award, recognizing an organization that is known for enhancing the social, cultural, environmental and economic wellbeing of the community was presented to Bethesda Foundation. Other nominees included Youth For Christ Steinbach, Steinbach Arts Council and Southeast Cancer Support Services.

The future leader award which recognizes an individual between 18 and 40 who demonstrates admirable leadership and vision, was presented to Oliver Kopp of The Rental House. Other nominees included Melissa Funk from Lynn & Liana Designs, Allen Penner from Alto Creative and Megan Dueck of Old Church Bakery.

This year’s legacy award which acknowledges and celebrates the determination of influential chamber members who make a difference was presented to Heather Jowett, the founder of Southeast Cancer Support Services.

Business of the year awards were given out in several categories.

This year’s small business of the year, one that has 10 employees or less, is Viet House Restaurant. Other finalists include Steinbach Primary Care Pharmacy, Collecta Co. and The Little Baking Company.

The medium business of the year, for businesses with 11 to 49 employees was Super Splash Auto Cleaning. Finalists included LMS AG Equipment, Main Bread and Butter and Hillside Construction.

The large business of the year award, for those with 50 or more employees was presented to Penner Farm Service. Other finalists included Steinbach’s Flooring Canada and Smitty’s Steinbach.

Chamber of Commerce vice president Chris Esau told those in attendance that excellence in business is never an accident.

“It is the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skillful execution and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities,” he said.

This year’s nomination committee had a challenge with 78 nominations brought forward.

The evening also included a quiz show with Steinbach Mayor Earl Funk facing off against Chamber of Commerce president Eugene Warwaruk in a battle of local trivia.