The Saanich News is proud to launch the Cordova Bay Community Leadership Awards in 2016.
A joint effort between the Saanich News and community partners the Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs, Tru Value Foods, The Beach House Restaurant and other local area businesses, the Cordova Bay Community Leadership Awards will recognize four deserving residents who display the spirit of Cordova Bay.
The 2016 awards are open for nominations in four areas, Youth Volunteer, Adult Volunteer, Mentor/Coach of the Year and the Local Employee of the Year. Nominations will be accepted by email at cdla@blackpress.ca until March 31, or in person (click here for the nomination sheet) at Tru Valu Foods (5124 Cordova Bay Rd.).
“It’s important to recognize volunteerism, the people who contribute, and to honour them,” says Larry Gontovnick, vice-president of the Cordova Bay Association. “We don’t do that enough and it’s a nice celebration of people who’ve made so many contributions in our community and to celebrate them.”
“The Saanich News is all about serving the local community and we’re lucky in Saanich to have so many neighbourhoods that form the fabric of what Saanich is all about,” says Saanich News publisher Oliver Sommer.
“The goal here is to build community, and build pride in a community that’s already rich in spirit,” Sommer says. “We want to create bonds in the community, and pull together residents, businesses and the various clubs and organizations.”
Residents can be nominated through submissions of 250 words or less which can include information such as the length of time the nominee has spent in the community and examples of the work or contributions they’ve made, and what effect that might have.
The Youth Volunteer Award will recognize a young person 18-or-under who makes a direct and positive contribution to the Cordova Bay community through volunteer efforts. The Adult Volunteer Award is the same, but for those over 18. The Mentor/Coach of the Year will recognize an individual who goes above and beyond through mentoring and impacts a person or group of people in Cordova Bay. The Local Employee of the Year works at a Cordova Bay business and serves their community with a smile and outstanding customer service that contributes to the positive culture of the area.
The award recognition night will take place at The Beach House Restaurant, a pillar in Cordova Bay for the past century, and this one.
“There is a deep sense of responsibility with staff and ownership at The Beach House to provide a spot for the community to gather, whether it’s event-based or casual dining, to interact with the community,” says Patrick Simpson, operations manager at The Beach House.
“Since we opened Tru Value it’s been an eye opener,” says Tru Value Foods part owner and general manager Phil Greenhalgh. “We’ve fallen in love with the community of Cordova Bay. What a great way to recognize the people here, there’s so many groups, it’s will be wonderful to recognize them for what they do.”
Nominations can be emailed to cdla@blackpress.ca or in person at Tru Value Foods, 5124 Cordova Bay Rd. (Click here for the nomination sheet.)
“I encourage people to come forward and nominate worthy residents,” Sommer says. “This program is created to recognize individuals who are giving back, and we are proud as the local community paper to play a part in that.”
reporter@saanichnews.com