Oak Harbor chamber ‘OHscars’ event salutes best in business

A star-studded crowd gathered at Bakerview Restaurant on Ault Field Road in Oak Harbor Saturday, Feb. 23 for an award ceremony honoring the best in local business.

The “OHscars,” as the annual awards banquet for the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce was dubbed this year, were presented in several categories, including  customer service, employer of the year and business of the year.

A special lifetime achievement award was presented to longtime chamber volunteer Jo Balda.

The event was also the fundraising kickoff for the annual Fourth of July celebration fireworks display.

The chamber’s business membership came together to bid for the right to be a grand sponsor for the fireworks spectacular, which the chamber holds each year at Windjammer Park.

This year’s grand sponsors are Toppins, Sherwin Williams Paints and Whidbey Coffee.

Award winners were: Whidbey Island Bank, for Best Business Community Service; Tradewinds Insurance, for Best Customer Service; the Oak Harbor Lions Club, for Best Community Service Organization; Gail Turner of Acorn Dental, for Chamber Member of the Year; Habitat for Humanity, for Best Nonprofit Organization; Gene Kelly Barner’s Edward Jones, for the Quality Award; Whidbey Coffee, for Employer of the Year; El Cazador Mexican Grill and Cantina for Business of the Year; Home Depot and Soroptimist International of Oak Harbor were each presented with an Acorn Award; and Julie Speck was named Chamber Ambassador of the Year.

Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce raises approximately $15,000 a year to fund the free fireworks show for the public.

The annual banquet raises about half the funds needed.

Additional daily and weekend sponsorships are available for businesses and community members to purchase.

For information about sponsorships, call the Oak Harbor Chamber at 360-675-3755.

 

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