The Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce passed out its annual community awards on April 4 before an enthusiastic audience at Foothills Church in Stayton.
The roster of talent was so good that the chamber essentially handed out three awards in its Distinguished Service category to Kim Dwyer, Cari Sessums and Karen Andall.
Dwyer was honored as “Community Angel” for her work on the Santiam Hospital’s service integration team and for helping set up a winter warming center.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to volunteer and give back,” Dwyer said. “I spend a lot of time away from home and I need to thank Santiam Hospital for letting me go rogue and do things outside the box.”
Sessums, who runs the Covered Bridge Cafe, was given the “Individual of the Year” award for her work on a slew of committees, boards and councils, particularly those that aim to help individuals in need.
Sessums noted the strong example her father showed with his volunteering and added that “it takes a village. It’s always good to give someone a leg up, even if they have made a bad decision, because we’ve all made bad decisions.”
Andall, who has volunteered with Rotary, the Santiam Hospital Auxiliary and a Court Appointed Special Advocates of Marion County, was given the “Lifetime Legacy” award. “Thank you so much,” Andall said, adding that there are “so many things we can get involved in. We don’t ask people enough for help.”
The other award receipients not made public before the luncheon were the Future First Citizens for 2024. The awards, bestowed by the Stayton Area Rotary Club, went to Diego Salinas of Stayton High and Noah Koenig of Regis-St. Mary.
Salinas was introduced by Stayton Principal Vicky Storey, who noted that her committee “quickly came to a unanimous decision on Diego” when they were reviewing candidates.
“Diego is the kind of person you want your kids to be friends with,” Storey said.
Salinas, who hopes to work as a nurse practitioner, said he realized how much of an impact a person could have on the community during a trip to Costa Rica, his mother’s homeland.
“It was eye-opening and made me want to be my best,” Salinas said.
Koenig was introduced by Regis-St. Mary Head of Schools Candi Hedrick, who said Koening “is a fearless leader who leads by example. His passion to serve sets him apart.”
Koenig, who plans to join the U.S. Navy and serve in special operations, said he wants to be a “servant leader. It’s necessary to give back to the community who have given so much to me.”
There was a new award given out at this year’s luncheon, New Business of the Year. Eligible businesses must have been open for less than three years. The winner was Vault Fitness, with Tuff Shark Records and West End Boutique also nominated.
The Small Business of the Year (fewer than 15 employees) award went to Postal Connections. Also nominated were Bend Your Nutrition and Key Bank. Bank officials, however, were singled out for special praise by the Chamber for declining the nomination. Bank officials felt it made more sense that a local firm should win rather than a larger company with a local presence.
Large Business of the year (more than 15 employees) was awarded to Focus Heating and Cooling. Also nominated were Chemeketa Community College and DSP Connections.
