Kristen McBride and Snap Sea to Sky were both recognized for their contributions as this year's Citizen of the Year and Business of the Year during the annual Chamber of Commerce gala at the Howe Sound Brew Pub Saturday (Jan. 31).
Citizen of the Year award recipient Kristen McBride was beaming with excitement as Chief newspaper publisher Tim Shoults presented her with the Chamber's glass trophy.
"It's unbelievable. I can't even put a word to it," she said.
"It's a huge honour to have been chosen as the Citizen of the Year. We have an amazing community full of wonderful citizens who do a lot and I'm so honoured to be the one chosen for 2009. I just do what I do because I love it. I love Squamish."
Six years ago, McBride was in a life-altering car accident that left her quadriplegic, but she didn't let that stop her from achieving her goals. The long time athlete volunteers annually with the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion events and with the GK Ripper foundation, which provides injured athletes with financial help.
When she's not teaching pre-schoolers, McBride spends time volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters leading a teen mentoring program at Squamish Elementary and Howe Sound Secondary.
McBride is one of two B.C. wheelchair women's rugby players and has been asked to participate in the opening ceremonies of the Paralympic Games on March 12. And on Thursday (Feb. 4), the 26-year-old will be lighting the Olympic Games cauldron at Brennan Park at 7 p.m.
"She is proof that you shouldn't allow a life-altering experience stop you from doing and getting what you want out of your life," McBride's mother Jackie wrote in her nomination form.
Business of the Year winner, Snap, is a good-news-only, free newspaper covering a wide variety of corridor events with eight photographers, including two in Squamish Cindy Cardiff and Michael Kanka.
Snap Sea to Sky is a franchise run by Pemberton-based publisher Dan Groppini. Its Ontario-based head office describes the publications as representing the optimistic side of the community and "illuminating the outer smiles and the inner pride within that community."
Those smiles were returned in spades Saturday when the Business of the Year trophy was handed to Groppini.
"It feels terrific. I was tickled pink when I heard because of all the hard work we put into this," he said.
Groppini said he's honoured to be recognized in Squamish, a town that rivals Whistler and Pemberton for its activity.
"You guys have so many events here [in Squamish] it's incredible. Actually on a consistent basis you have more events than Whistler or Pemberton."
Cardiff thanked the community for letting Snap Sea to Sky be a part of the countless community events.
"I absolutely love going to all the events in this community," she said. "I've only been here three years and I'm very proud to say that Squamish is my home. This is a great place to live."
In addition to the award presentations, the gala also hosted a funkadelic live and silent auction to raise funds for the Chamber of Commerce.
The evening was sponsored by nearly a dozen businesses including The Chief newspaper, North Shore Credit Union, Capilano University, Lokl, Cardinal Concrete, Garibaldi at Squamish, Granite Art Mason/Moe's Vending, Mojo Signs, Squamish Inn on the Water, Billie's Bouquet and the Howe Sound Brew Pub.
