Hartland chamber announces awards

Posted: Nov. 8, 2010

The Hartland Chamber of Commerce recently honored several award winners at the chamber's 60th anniversary celebration.

Veolia ES Midwest was named the Large Business of the Year. "Veolia has been a solid dedicated financial supporter and sponsor of numerous chamber events. In addition, they provide an invaluable service during our annual Street Dance," said Lynn Minturn, executive director of the Hartland Chamber of Commerce. "You would never know a dance even took place when they are done."

Small Business of the Year was presented to Palmer's Steak House. "Besides being a financial supporter and sponsor of many chamber events, over the years, the Arenases have raised more than $1 million during their annual Tent Event for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation," noted Chamber President Eric Ewald.

For their outstanding volunteer contributions at the communit -level, the Rebholz family was recognized as Volunteers of the Year. As with many of the chamber awards, the contributions from the Rebholz family certainly don't pertain to this year alone. Dr. Christopher Rebholz is currently on the chamber board and serves on numerous committees. He and his family volunteer with every chamber event from both a financial and hands-on perspective. The family does not limit their volunteer efforts to the chamber alone, helping throughout the community on a consistent basis. Even their children and extended family help with every event. "If you've had popcorn at the street dance and the Holiday Train - thank the Rebholz family," noted Ewald.

The Helping Hands award was presented to Carol Taavola of Carol A. Taavola Public Accounting LLC for the guidance and expertise she brings to the chamber. As an expert in QuickBooks, Taavola has enabled the chamber to fully utilize the power of the QB software, providing even greater efficiencies in the office.

The ABBY Award - for going above and beyond the call of duty - was given to the Village of Hartland Department of Public Works for many years of quietly prepping behind the scenes for chamber events. "While they acknowledge they are only doing their job, we know we can't fully do ours without their help. Their work makes our events flow seamlessly." said Ewald.

While not given out each year, the chamber presented the Rising Star award this year to Jim Cullen of Lake Country Rotary. As a new director with the chamber, Cullen jumped in with both feet. He works tirelessly to understand the needs of the chamber and then works just as hard to find solutions, the chamber noted. He is also actively promoting cross-efficiencies with Lake Country Rotary so the community benefits as a whole.

A new award this year was the Community Leadership award, presented to Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly. "Having been in the news consistently this year for their achievements and community service, the chamber is fully familiar with their generosity," Ewald said. " Employees volunteer throughout the year, and sponsorships and donations for the chamber have always been generous. What makes them so unique is their consistent promotion of the communities they do business in and their unrelenting support of the businesses, schools and organizations located in those communities."

The Ambassador of the Year was Debbie DesRoches of First Bank Financial Centre. DesRoches was acknowledged for her consistent commitment in promoting the chamber and recruiting new members, as well as her volunteer service and dedication to mobilizing others to get involved with the chamber.

Board Member of the Year honors went to two board members this year. Receiving the awards were Jamie Hardt of Anytime Fitness and Kelly Wagner of First Bank Financial Centre.

Both consistently mobilize the membership to consider sponsorship and volunteer efforts with the chamber, volunteer themselves in every capacity imaginable, have served on every committee at some point, and have taken on chairmen roles for several events, the chamber noted in a release announcing the awards.

About 100 people were on hand to congratulate the 2010 Hartland Chamber of Commerce award winners.