The Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce has opened nominations for the annual Citizen and Group of the Year Awards, honouring efforts by Moose Jaw and area residents made during the calendar year from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2023.
Nominations are normally open before the Christmas season to give everyone plenty of time for discussion and nomination submissions. The nomination process was delayed this year due to uncertainty around the usual venue for the awards luncheon — leading to what might turn out to be a serendipitous collaboration with the Moose Jaw Events Centre and the Moose Jaw Warriors hockey club.
"We're really excited about the fact that we're taking the Citizen and Group of the Year Awards down to the Events Centre," Rob Clark, president of the Chamber, told MooseJawToday.com.
"I think it's a great touch. We have been having it as a luncheon, but it will now be a Tuesday evening at a Warriors game. The Warriors are really helping us to support and sponsor it, and the Events Centre has been bending over backwards to help us make this happen, because this is all about community and recognizing the good citizens of the city."
The Citizen and Group of the Year awards recognize contributions both large and small, from both groups and individuals. A jury of around 10 people from the Chamber, the major sponsors of the awards, and several independent contributors puts a lot of time into reviewing nominations and narrowing the field.
Last year's Citizen of the Year nominees were Darlene Geib, Jared Mathieson, Jody Oakes, Laurie Kosior, Maguire Jackman, and Eric Campbell, with Campbell receiving the win.
The 2022 Group of the Year nominees were the U15 A Moose Jaw Warriors, Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw, Square One Community Inc., the Moose Jaw & District Seniors Association, and River Street Promotions, with RSP winning.
Deadline for nominations is Jan 19, 2024. They should be submitted online through the Chamber website. For any questions about the process, call the Chamber at 306-692-6414 and/or visit mjchamber.com/citizen-group-of-the-year.
The winners will be announced during the intermission of the Tuesday, Feb. 6 Warriors home game vs. Edmonton.
A special cocktail event will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 6 at the Moose Jaw Events Centre's Founders Lounge. Pre-registration required, with a cost of $15 per person. Tickets are available from the Chamber of Commerce.
"Some people do small things around town that really make a big impact, and some people do some big things to support our community, and we're really looking to honour those people for the great and good things they do for Moose Jaw," Clark said.
"Now that nominations are open, I wish and hope that everyone will get together with family and friends to start talking about who deserves this, and I hope we can cast a wide web and get as many nominations as we can."
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