From Elkford to Radium Hot Springs: Creative and contributing talent to be acknowledged at Awards Gala on October 15

Kootenay Game Changer Awards nominations have been closed and nominated individuals, groups, and organizations have been contacted.

The nominees will each be honoured at the October 15 Gala at the St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino, with one nominee from each category receiving special acknowledgment.

The Kootenay Game Changer Awards are a collaboration of local media (e-KNOW, Black Press, Total Country B104, and 102.9 The Drive) to honour individuals around the Kootenays.

“Local media find themselves running stories about incredible community members on daily basis,” stated e-KNOW owner/publisher Carrie Schafer. “We thought it would be fun to acknowledge some of these great stories publicly. We opened nomination over the summer, and are excited to invite 45 individuals and organizations to a dinner gala.”

“Each nominee will be treated to dinner at the St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino, thanks to a partnership between Columbia Power and the Awards Organizing Committee; as well as St. Eugene graciously hosting the event,” said Total Country and the Drive General Manager Leo Baggio. “We have also had numerous local business step up to sponsor each category. We are really thankful for how community has rallied around this process and the gala in its first year.”

The Kootenay Game Changer Awards are about honouring the Kootenays and the people who have made change in the Kootenays. To keep with the Kootenay theme, the entire night will include Kootenay based food and entertainment.

“Chef Ronny Belkin and his team at St. Eugene will be making a Kootenay dinner, created with local products from local producers and culinary artisans; including Cutter Ranch, 3 Crows Farm, Kootenay Meadows, and the Kimberley City Bakery,” added Black Press publisher Zena Williams. “As well, Dawson Rutledge will be providing some dinner entertainment; and SnapShot Selfie Station will be there to capture the moments in a really fun way!”

The list of the nominees up for an award on October 15 are:

Youth Game Changer

Sponsor: Mister Tire

Nominees: Connect Church; Youth Impact Youth Centre.

Education Game Changer

Sponsor: College of the Rockies

Nominees: Marlene Driscoll; Kayley Wasylowich; Joe Pierre; Leah Bradish.


Health & Wellness Game Changer

Sponsor: Re/Max Blue Sky Realty

Nominees: Trish Reimer, Kootenay Fun 5; Laura Young, Nanny’s Cupboard; Chelsea McCormack, Inner Roar Yoga; Cranbrook Food Action Committee.


Finance & Economics Game Changer

Sponsor: Brothers Insurance

Nominees: Basin Business Advisors Program; Ktunaxa Nation Council Economic Sector; Downtown Business Association.

Government Game Changer

Sponsor: Paulson Fire & Flood

Nominees: Regional District of the East Kootenay; City of Kimberley; Ktunaxa Nation Council; Cranbrook Kimberley Development Initiative.


Protective Services Game Changer

Sponsor: Rella, Paolini & Rogers

Nominees: Cranbrook Search & Rescue; Street Angel; Blaze Dobson; Katryna Sigurdson.

Family Game Changer

Sponsor: Ostash Exteriors

Nominees: Aileen Wilson, Pay It Forward; Daleen Bybee, Breastfeeding Mamas; Community Connections Society of Southeast BC; REALM.

Arts & Culture Game Changer

Sponsor: Ktunaxa Nation Council

Nominees: Kimberley Centre 64; Key City Theatre; Elkford Arts Council.

First Nations Game Changer

Sponsor: Teck Coal Ltd.

Nominees: Joe Pierre; Street Angel; Robert Williams.

Outdoors & Environment Game Changer

Sponsor: VAST Resources

Nominees: Groundswell Network; Marlene Driscoll; Colleen Bailey.

Sports & Recreation Game Changer

Sponsor: Cranbrook Dodge

Nominees: Kootenay East Youth Soccer Association; Seana Coolbaugh, Cranbrook Minor Ball; Lukas Eaton, Local Soccer Literacy Coach; Key City Gymnastics; Blaine and Jody Boris, Elkford Minor Ball.

Technology Game Changer

Sponsor: Genex Marketing

Nominees: Mount Baker Robotics Team.

Tourism Game Changer

Sponsor: Fly Fusion Magazine

Nominees: Wapiti Music Festival, Fernie; Music & Market on Main, Radium Hot Springs; Cranbrook Multicultural Festival.

Unsung Hero Game Changer

Sponsor: Jim Pattison Broadcast Group

Nominees: Dave Miller, Extra Life Game Day; Tommy White, Eagles Boxing & Charity Boxing Tournament; Bunny Klassen, Ginger’s Legacy; Helene Howell, multi decade foster parent.

The Kootenay Game Changers Gala is on October 15, at the St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino. Tickets are available by calling 250-426-2224.

e-KNOW

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