Members of the St. Albert business community gathered together Thursday night to award their best and brightest entrepreneurs at their business awards night.
Rosanna Fischer of KDM Management Inc. was the big winner of the night, taking home both the Community Business Leadership Award and the Lynda Moffat Woman of Distinction Award.
Moffat presented the award to Fischer during the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards of Distinction at the Arden Theatre, citing her charity work and involvement in the community. Moffat is past-president and CEO of the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce.
“With a successful career and businesses doing well, our recipient’s attention quickly turned to giving back to her community. Not only did she and her team start to volunteer, but she actually started a registered charity to assist those in need. In the past four short years, together they have raised and donated time and monies of more than $100,000,” Moffat said.
Fischer’s charity built a “Time for Me” room at the Ronald McDonald House for the families to relax and be pampered, volunteering for the lunch program at the Ronald McDonald House, being instrumental in building the playground at J.J. Nearing school in support of a dream by a student battling cancer, creating food hampers at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas for those in need, and supporting local elementary schools through providing hot lunches, Santa visits and gifts.
Fischer was completely surprised by her wins Thursday.
“I love this community. I love giving back. And I've always been of the opinion that if you if you can give back you should, if you have the ability to in whatever capacity. It doesn't have to be financial. It could be time, it could be your heart or your passion,” Fischer said.
Tony LaGrange of Quantum Chemical took home the Chair's Award of Distinction for his business's leadership in the city and the community support it provides. LaGrange and his company provide honour awards for 30 to 50 students each year at St. Albert Catholic High School. Quantum Chemical is also a sponsor for the Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton, Newman Theological College, St. Joseph Seminary and Dogs with Wings.
“It's kind of humbling, to be honest with you. It is a pretty cool award,” LaGrange said.
“I'm just sort of blown away.”
Stop Abuse in Families (SAIF) won their first ever business award for community stewardship.
Charlene Zoltenko, board member of SAIF, accepted the award for the organization and said the win was amazing.
“They do things in the community for people that no one else does. Not everyone needs to go to a shelter – sometimes they just need a helping hand. And that's what SAIF is there for,” Zoltenko said, tearing up.
Gretzie Parth of GPMAKEUP won her second business award at the age of 23. Parth said it felt really good to win the award, especially in a category with so many business owners and entrepreneurs she looks up to.
“It's just really rewarding to be acknowledged this quick into my career,” Parth said.
Parth operated as an online business but then moved into a brick and mortar shop earlier this year.
