The Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce has honored two businesses and one organization for their commitment to the community.
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Marcus Holland awarded the Partners in Progress award to two new businesses, the Barking Lot and Hair of the Dog.
“Her and her team have transformed an entire city block into something we can be proud of. With services for pet owners and destinations for events and it’s wrapped in their adorable dog-themed branding.”
Hanna Shores accepts the Partners in Progress Award from Chamber Executive Director Marcus Holland.
Holland presented the Legacy Award to Country Bobs to their continuing commitment to Centralia.
“It’s known everywhere and since I’ve been the Chamber Director, I’ve seen investment after investment with their solar array, new additions to their buildings, and so those investments and that they are a brand that we have in the community is what makes them a legacy.”
Holland notes Country Bobs which started in 1968 is now in its third generation of operation by the founding family.
Country Bob’s Reed Malekovic accepts the Centralia Chamber’s Legacy Award.
The Community Champion Award was presented to Mission Centralia and Helping Hands. Holland noted the group began among other things began building ramps in 2021 and by the end of last year had built 50. He says those ramps make a major difference in the lives of the residents who were having trouble getting in and out of their homes. Holland says the program has also rallied the community around a positive activity.
After a large number of those involved in the organization came on stage, Rob Schnitcker accepted the award and thanked their many volunteers and donors who have made their work possible.
“They started the board to try and help people. Part of what else we do is to give small dollar of grants to people who are in financial difficulties. We’ve helped people stay in their homes who were about to lose them at no fault of their own. We’ve helped people get vehicles so they can get jobs. So it’s not just ramps we are doing things of that nature as well and have touched countless lives that way as well.”
Schnictker notes a large number of volunteers are always on hand when there is an immediate need to build a ramp to help out a family or individual.
Some of the around 200 in attendance at the 99th Annual Centralia Chamber of Commerce Banquet.
