Seven people received high praise from the Warrenton business community during the annual Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce awards banquet last Friday.
The Chamber gave out its yearly awards …
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Seven people received high praise from the Warrenton business community during the annual Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce awards banquet last Friday.
The Chamber gave out its yearly awards Jan. 10, celebrating individuals and businesses who have been leaders for positive action in the area. Candidates for the awards were nominated through submissions.
This year the Chamber introduced a new ambassador award honoring the late Allan Dreyer, a long-serving and prominent member of the Chamber.
The banquet was held at Country Lake Golf Club, and also included auctions to raise funds for student scholarships provided by the Chamber each year.
The first Allan Dreyer Memorial Ambassador Award was granted to Dreyer himself. He passed away unexpectedly in 2019. Dreyer was a former president of the Chamber and remained active in the community after retiring from the Warren County R-III School District.
“He really did deeply care about the community and education,” said his son, Blake Dreyer, who accepted the award on behalf of the Dreyer family.
A Missouri Senate proclamation honoring Allan Dreyer’s contributions to the community was also gifted to the Dreyer family.
Honoring performance in education, positive community engagement and length of time in service, the Educator of the Year Award went to Dr. Bobbie Russell of Warrior Ridge Elementary. She was noted for her dedication to each individual student.
“I love what I do every day,” said Russell. “I have been an educator at Warren County R-III for 27 years. I love the children, I love the staff, and I love this community.”
Also nominated for the award were Christina Heida and Shari Leppanen.
The award for an emergency services staff committed to performing their duties and positive outreach to the community went to Warrenton paramedic Jody Sullivan. The letter nominating Sullivan commended him for doing community outreach, spending extra time with patients and even checking on them after they leave the hospital.
“I’ve felt very blessed over the last 11 years just to have the opportunity to serve the community,” Sullivan said.
Also nominated was Sgt. Scott Taylor of the Warren County Sheriff’s Department.
The award for a leading volunteer in the community went to Ralph Hellebusch. He was noted for his work with several community groups, as well as being a board member for the Tribute to Veterans Memorial and a board director for SSM St. Joseph West Hospital.
Hellebusch said credit for his work is shared with all the people he has worked with.
“When you’re involved in the community, it’s not just the leaders who are in it, it’s the people backing them,” he commented.
Nominated along with Hellebusch were Tim Flake and Samantha Richardson.
Celebrating overall achievement and positive community engagement, the Person of the Year Award went to Tracy Smith, owner of Long Row Lavender.
“Tracy’s vision for the community and for the Chamber have been remarkable,” master of ceremonies Dan Dieckmann read from a nomination letter. She was thanked for her positive outlook and for bringing fresh marketing ideas to the Chamber.
Others nominated for the honor were Stacey Blondin and Samantha Richardson.
The Chamber’s Business of the Year Award went to Main Street Real Estate. Led by Samantha Richardson and Stacey Blondin, the relatively young business was noted for its extensive contributions to an array of economic and charitable programs.
“We’re only as good as this community is. Thank you for allowing us to give back,” Blondin said. “If it weren’t for everybody supporting us, we wouldn’t be able to do that.”
Other nominees for Business of the Year were First State Community Bank and Long Row Lavender.
