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Virtual awards bring real smiles for Small Business Week

Athabasca Chamber hands out annual business awards in a new format

ATHABASCA - Normally, in celebration of Small Business Week, the Athabasca District Chamber of Commerce holds a formal gala event with music, speeches, hor d'oeuvres and a few glasses of wine, but 2020 has not been a normal year. 

Chamber president Tova Schwede says the organization knew in April the annual awards would not be happening in their usual form due to gathering restrictions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, so after a lot of planning a virtual way to present the accolades was agreed upon — Facebook Live and hand delivery of each award right to the doorstep of the winning business. 

“We were unsure how long the pandemic would be so instead of booking caterers and music and everything we decided in April to cancel it,” Schwede said. “Then we figured out how we could do the awards in a different way.” 

Athabascans had the opportunity to follow along for two days, Oct. 12-13, as Schwede and the Chamber’s executive assistant Jenn Oba revealed what each business had won in a series of Facebook Live posts. Until that moment all they knew was that they had won something and Schwede and Oba were arriving at a pre-arranged time. 

Lifetime Achievement 

Winners of the Lifetime Acheivement award, LB Plumbing Contractors Ltd. owned by Lionel and Linda Bonneville, both 71, was presented the honour by Athabasca mayor Colleen Powell on behalf of the Town of Athabasca which sponsors the award.

The Bonnevilles have been in business in Athabasca for over 40 years, and while Lionel is looking forward to one day selling the business and retiring, he has served the community with his wife, and for a while his son, with pride. 

“Our motto is ‘If you’re not happy, then we’re not done,’” said Lionel, who is a plumber and gasfitter.

After doing a survey of the area and choosing Athabasca out of a couple possible locations Lionel started his business in April 1978 with the family moving to join him June of that year. He was familiar with the area because his family had been coming to Calling Lake long before he met his wife.

"We loved the way the town looked; it doesn't matter which way you drive in, it's pretty," he said.

This is the third recession the Bonnevilles can recall shepherding their business through and watched their son apprentice and work in the business for several years before moving away for his own adventures with his wife and daughter. They've seen a lot of things change in those 40 years. Lionel remembers looking up certain things on microphish before computers became commonplace. He also remembers saying he would be out of business long before computer ever took off.

"I never thought I'd be in business this long," he said.

One of the many letters sent in nominating the company read in part, “It will be 43 years next April that Lionel Bonneville landed in Athabasca. It’s been quite a ride — up and downs; mostly ups. Through it all he maintained dignity on the job. He always tried new things before others did. But again, he wasn’t finished until he was done. It is because of this dedication, this passion, that he was able to sustain the business model he’s followed to this day.” 

Customer Choice 

The Customer Choice Award was presented for the first time this year, with people voting online for one of 64 nominated businesses. With 663 votes it was a tight race between the top five choices and there was a tie for third place. 

“This is a brand-new award this year, it’s the Customer Choice Award. You got to vote, you go to say who won,” Schwede said before introducing Albert and Hadla Assaf, the owners of New Trendz Hair Design. 

The owner of Taking Care Counselling and Consulting Ltd., Jackie Shank, who sponsored the new award was on hand to present the Assafs with the recognitioon and thank themfor their contribution to the community. 

“It’s a privilege to pass over that award and thank you for being part of the community for providing such wonderful service,” Shank said. 

Due to a scheduling conflict the winner of the Home-Based Business award was unable to be announced before press time. 

Winners: 

Business of the Year – Sponsored by the Athabasca District Chamber of Commerce – Athabasca Native Friendship Centre/Riddles Thrift Store 

Marketer of the Year – Sponsored by Boom 94.1 Stingray Radio Inc. - Shahira Bury of Royal LePage Country Realty/Beyond Your Sale 

New Business of the Year – Sponsored by Servus Credit Union Athabasca – Glas Floral Studio 

Community Spirit Award – Sponsored by the Tourism and Economic Development (TED) Committee/Athabasca County – Athabasca Advocate 

Young Entrepreneur Award – Sponsored by the Athabasca Lions Club in memory of Gordon Topps – Bohdan Tomanek of ElectrikCity 

Customer Service Award – Sponsored by Northwest Fabricators Ltd. - VanHout Bakery 

Employer of Youth Award – Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Athabasca – Canadian Tire 

Manager of the Year – Sponsored by Royal LePage/Shahira Bury/Beyond Your Sale – Eunice Reichstein of ATB Financial 

Integrity Award – Sponsored by Rotary Club of Athabasca – Flowers by Christina 

Customer Choice Award – Sponsored by Taking Care Counselling and Consulting Ltd./Jackie Shank – New Trends Hair Salon 

Home-based Business Award – Sponsored by Athabasca Home Hardware Building Centre – Was not announced before press time. 

Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by the Town of Athabasca – LB Plumbing Contractors Ltd. 

Heather Stocking, TownandCountryToday.com  

Follow me on Twitter @HLSox 

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