In what is likely a first for the local Chamber of Commerce, one Bashaw business is up for a provincial business award.
Bashaw Meats, operated by Darren and Carrie Pearson, is one of four finalists for the Community Attraction Award of Distinction. The Alberta Chamber of Commerce (ACC) explained that, going back as far as 2001, that this is the first time a Bashaw Chamber member has been an award finalist.
The award is part of the ACC’s 2019 Alberta Business Awards of Distinction.
“It’s pretty cool to be named and truly an honour just to be nominated,” said Carrie.
“We didn’t know a thing about it until the package arrived.”
For the Pearson’s, reading the email earlier this month naming them as a finalist was certainly a shock.
“Honestly, life goes on and we hadn’t heard anything for a while. We just kind of thought it was done and maybe we didn’t make it,” she stated.
“Then all of a sudden, boom it was there and it came as a bit of a surprise.”
The nomination, which came courtesy of a community member, showcased all of the efforts put forth by Bashaw Meats in support of various activities in town — ranging from the many donations of cash and food for events, to helping youth and assisting in raising funds for local projects such as the expansion of the new school gymnasium.
“It’s all a part of the community we make a living in, so we want to do as much we can,” Carrie explained.
The award Bashaw Meats is up for focuses on the impact and influence a business or organization has made on its community.
It also includes what the finalist has done that has benefited their community by making it more attractive to people who work, live, visit and play there.
The other finalists are the Millarville Racing and Agricultural Society, the Bear Creek Folk Music Festival in Grande Prairie and Edmonton’s Freewill Shakespeare Festival.
Awards night is set for March 1 at the Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel.
jordie.dwyer@ponokanews.com
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