Volunteer of the Year sponsored by Peninsula Co-op

Individuals and community service groups. Recognition for extraordinary service or
support given to individuals, families, non-profit organizations, community service
groups or humanitarian causes.

Deb Savory Wright | KidSport Cowichan
“Deb is a leader and a go-getter in our community, helping to raise over a quarter of a million dollars to support kids in our community, ensuring no one is left on the side lines. Deb has chaired our Chapter of KidSport since 2010 and her efforts reached new heights during the year and a half she volunteered for the 2018 BC Summer Games. Deb is a community champion.

 

For Immediate Release | May 4th, 2021
Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce

WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 22ND BLACK TIE AWARDS

The 22nd Black Tie Awards streamed live on YouTube from the Chemainus Theatre on the evening of Tuesday, May 4th. This was the first time the popular awards celebration, which was originally postponed in April 2020 due to the emerging pandemic, was presented in avirtual format.
The ceremony took on a late-night talk-show feel with Sonja Nagel (Chamber, Executive Director) Julie Scurr (Chamber President) and Cathy Robertson (General Manager, Community Futures Cowichan) sharing the stage as co-hosts. The trio navigated the evening’s proceedings with tremendous warmth, skill and celebratory flair.

The presentation streamed live on YouTube and incorporated pre-recorded videos, a finalists slide show and live phone calls to the winners directly from the stage. All of these elements, together with clever set design and music from the Chemainus Theatre team, made for an entertaining and engaging virtual awards show that may have, otherwise, fallen flat. Speaking to the event’s virtual format, Chamber President Julie Scurr said, “While this year’s Black Tie Awards certainly looked different than previous years – and came with its own set of challenges – we were thrilled with how it went and thankful for the many people and organizations that helped make it happen.”

27 Finalists and 9 Award Recipients (listed below by award category) were honoured throughout the course of the ceremony, which in many ways, held particular poignancy given the ongoing economic challenges resulting from the pandemic. “Resiliency is a word we’ve all become intimately familiar with this past year” said Scurr. “More than winning the awards, the evening was really about honouring that resiliency and taking some well earned time out to celebrate success.”

The celebration was brought to a close with the Chamber’s 2020 Lifetime Achiever, Pudge Bawa. Pudge was honoured with a surprise tribute video that had been pre-recorded in secret with the help of several of Bawa’s family, friends and colleagues, including the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Honouree, Stormin’ Norm Jackson. The tribute video praised Pudge’s lifetime of contributions to the Cowichan, and even featured a few special memories that offered both heart-warming and light-hearted insights into the otherwise humble man.

The Black Tie Awards 2020, presented in partnership with Island Savings, A Division of First West Credit Union, is available for public viewing on YouTube for those who missed the live stream. Visit www.duncancc.bc.ca or call 250.748.1111 for more information.

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Connect. Engage. Achieve. The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce has been representing business since 1908. The Chamber provides professional development, networking, cost savings and advocacy for over 560 members. The Chamber also operates the Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre that serves over 25,000 visitors annually, providing information and referrals for all that Cowichan has to offer.

For more information contact:
Alec Wheeler
Events and Membership Manager
Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce
chamber@duncancc.bc.ca | (250) 748-1111

Full News release: https://chambermaster.blob.core.windows.net/userfiles/UserFiles/chambers/1867/CMS/2020_BTA/DCCC-Media-Release—BTA-2020-Winners-Announced—May-4.-2021—FINAL.pdf