MOOSE JAW — The Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce has opened nominations for its annual Citizen and Group of the Year awards, honouring residents’ efforts made from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024.
Citizen and Group of the Year awards recognize significant contributions to the city’s quality of life — both social and economic — that private citizens have made. These awards increase public awareness of those contributions and give a well-deserved tribute to those residents.
Nominations open during the Christmas season to give everyone plenty of time to submit nominations. Once nominations close, five anonymous judges will review the applications, narrow the field and choose the winners.
Heather Bergdahl, the chamber’s office administrator, said the awards focus on the volunteer activities of individuals and groups and the extra time they give — such as shovelling a neighbour’s sidewalk, housing sitting or serving on a city committee — to enhance the community.
“It’s not something specific, it’s just the volunteer time they put in that makes them outstanding,” she said, noting that groups could be non-profits or friends who contribute to the city over several years and not just one time.
There is no limit on how many individuals or groups can be nominated, with Bergdahl noting that the most applications the chamber received in one year were 10 for individuals and nine for groups.
Meanwhile, holding the event at the Events Centre is a great opportunity to showcase the individuals and groups to the wider community, she continued. After recognizing the nominees during a reception, everyone will attend the Moose Jaw Warriors’ game and the nominees — and winners — will be honoured during the first intermission.
Having a public display like this is important because not everyone can attend a luncheon or reception, while it also gives kids a chance to see and learn more about what volunteers do for the community, Bergdahl said.
The officer administrator added that the chamber was thankful for major sponsor CAE, which has supported the awards program for many years.
Last year’s Citizen of the Year nominees were Aaron Ruston, Alex Carleton, Dianne & Larry Hellings, Jared Mathieson and TaraLynn Parker, with
Also, the Group of the Year nominees were the 2023 World Para Ice Hockey Championship organizing committee, Journey to Hope Moose Jaw, Moose Jaw Diversified Services and Spike Grooming staff, with the .
The deadline for nominations is Jan 17, 2025, and nominations should be submitted through the chamber website. Those with questions can call 306-692-6414 or visit .
A special cocktail event will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at the Moose Jaw Events Centre's Founders Lounge. Pre-registration is required, while the cost per person has yet to be announced. Tickets are available from the Chamber of Commerce.
The winners will be announced during the first intermission of the Warriors’ home game that evening against the Washington state-based Wenatchee Wild.
