Chamber hands out hardware at annual awards gala

People are the greatest assets of a community.

“Without them, we’re nothing,” said South Niagara Chambers of Commerce (SNCC) executive director Dolores Fabiano at Tuesday night’s annual general meeting and awards gala.

An annual event hosted by the SNCC for decades, about 60 guests were in attendance at the Buffalo Canoe Club to witness 11 awards handed out in three categories.

“We pay attention all year to see who’s doing what and how they’re doing it,” Fabiano told Fort Erie Radio when asked about how the recipients are chosen.

“We’re a really lucky community and we’ve got some really great businesses, citizens, and really wonderful young people,” she added.

Fabiano said there are about 370 businesses under the SNCC umbrella within Greater Fort Erie, a number that has grown since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maddie McBride and her mom Jen are a business duo in Crystal Beach, one of five business award recipients.

In the middle of the pandemic, they opened Shaka Farm to Beach through a takeout window on Erie Road.

In summer 2023, they expanded and moved into a new and larger space with indoor seating and a patio to serve their menu, which contains a number of healthy sandwich options, as well as smoothies and salads.

Maddie said they are “flattered” by the accolade, along with all the support they’ve received since opening, and then relocating.

“We didn’t know what it would all lead to, but here we are,” she said before the ceremony started on Tuesday night.

They are grateful for all their customers.

“We wouldn’t be able to do it without them,” she said.

The McBrides also recently opened Sublife, a sandwich shop next to Shaka.

The other businesses recognized were Bridgewater Country Club, Aleksandra Jewellery, The Fox Shop, and Canada Perforating.

Orma Bleeks was one of four people recognized for community service.

A co-founder of Advancing Crystal Beach, a non-profit organization she has since stepped down from, Bleeks continues to serve people in the area and said she’s proud of what the group has accomplished.

“It still amazes me that we got as much done as we did,” she told Fort Erie Radio in an interview.

Bleeks has advocated for people in need for many years, and she is continuing to do so with Fort Erie Healthcare SOS, a group pushing for services to be maintained at the Douglas Memorial site.

She said volunteerism is a crucial part of the community.

“If everybody gets involved, we can get a hell of a lot of stuff done,” she said.

Also named in the same category as Bleeks was Marie James for her work with Strong Fort Erie Neighbourhoods (SFEN) and St. Vincent De Paul.

Vince Cottone, a retired teacher and SFEN volunteer, was also given an award for community service, as was Hazel Reinhart, a former librarian who has volunteered many years to the local arts community.

Two individuals recognized were youth citizen awards recipients, one of which was Jackalyn Mason, a Grade 11 student at Greater Fort Erie Secondary School.

Mason is an honour roll student, a cheerleader, an athlete, and a club member, but she’s also a flight sergeant and advanced aviation graduate through her role with the local air cadets squadron.

“I’m very thankful to be able to win this award,” she told Fort Erie Radio.

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