Local businesses, residents recognized at Chamber awards
Posted Mar 5, 2010 By Sarah Kelford
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Tweet ThisEMC News - Yvonne Harvey was voted Kanata's Citizen of the Year at the 11th annual Kanata Chamber of Commerce People's Choice Business Awards last week.
Harvey has found the strength through tragedy to start the organization Canadian Parents of Murdered Children and Survivors of Homicide Victims Inc. after her daughter was murdered.
"I would like to accept this on behalf of all Canadian parents of murdered children and survivors of homicide victims," said Harvey. "We are challenged with returning to our community, reconstructing our lives in the aftermath of murder with some type of hope and purpose. It's not easy, and there is a gap in Canada, so that is a very important area that we need to address. I have to thank my husband Gary because without his unconditional support and encouragement, we wouldn't be this far. Thank you very much."
Upon introducing Harvey, emcee Angie Poirier of A Channel News described her as a "strong, passionate and determined individual" who will not stop trying to make the world a better place.
"After suffering a tragic loss, she has taken pro-active steps to ensure parents of murdered children in Canada will have the resources and support available to them to cope with their horrific losses by launching a similar chapter here in Canada She was encouraged to establish such a charity when she found out there were no such services in Canada to assist parents, whom she considers are also victims of such crimes," Poirier continued. "The project, which is in its early stages, will be the first of its kind in Canada and perhaps the strongest inspiration behind her goal, is her now four-year-old grandchild who has her mother's eyes and her contagious smile."
Harvey's award acceptance was followed by a standing ovation from the supportive audience.
OTHER AWARDS
Cynthia Wing, chair of the People's Choice awards and incoming president, told the audience that nearly 7,000 votes were cast this year.
"This event is an exciting one where once again votes were cast by the local community acknowledging businesses, organizations, individuals of excellence within Kanata, Goulbourn and West Carleton," said Wing. "And how appropriate that this year's PCBAs has the Olympic theme. Just as every Canadian athlete is a champion for our country, each nominee is also a champion for their community by being recognized by peers, colleagues, friends, customers and the public at large."
The first awards of the evening were given to the Community Support Non-Profit Organization. In Kanata, this award went to the Cameron Smith Memorial Fund.
"Through community efforts, we raised $100,000 to help kids play minor hockey who might not be able to play otherwise," said Garry Brownrigg, upon accepting the award.
Phu-Yen Restaurant was awarded the Restaurant of the Year. They have been in business for 13 years and thanked everyone.
The Kanata Tourism Business of the Year was awarded to Holiday Inn & Suites, where the People's Choice Business Awards used to be held in its early years. Director of Sales, James King noted that to see how much it has grown is "a testament to the community and growth."
Free Form Fitness took home the award for Health and Wellness Business of the Year in Kanata. Jean-Luc Boissonneault said the award "goes out to our clients."
Karla Briones and Shawn Hoey from Global Pet Foods Kanata accepted the award for New Business of the Year.
Upon receiving their award, they thanked the customers and Hoey said that winning the award showed "pet people are good people, and there are a lot of great people in Kanata."
AAA Kavtech Automotive was voted Small Business of the Year. Owner Don Kavanagh accepted the award and offered his thanks to the Chamber and all who voted for them. "It's all about the customers," he said.
Jask Salon & Day Spa received the Large Business of the Year Award.
The award was accepted by esthetics director Roxanne Tommy, owner Bob Goharzad and general manager Cathrine Barré who said they have been open six-and-a-half years.
"We couldn't be, all of us, in this business if it wasn't for the staff that we have," said Barré, thanking the Chamber and Brookstreet Hotel. "A quarter of the staff we have are here tonight...It's what we do together that make our guests come back and that have allowed us to come up here and accept this award."
"So many amazing reasons tonight to celebrate the community, this area of Ottawa that you all work and live and play in," said Poirier. "It is thriving, and it is growing every year and tonight you are all examples of that."
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