Nominees for Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and
Business of the Year are needed.
The 21st Annual Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, Business of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year awards will be presented on Wednesday, May 4 at noon in person this year at Blakeslee’s Bar and Grill.
The deadline for nominations is noon on Wednesday, April 13.
This will mark a time when the Forks Chamber of Commerce and community gives public recognition to a citizen, a Chamber business, and a volunteer who has made outstanding contributions to our community during the year.
You are an important link in the process of selecting the recipients. You are encouraged to nominate an individual, business, and/or volunteer that you think is worthy of such recognition.
Nominate as many individuals and businesses as you wish. Please complete the Candidate Nomination Form and submit it to the Chamber, along with any other background material that you feel may be pertinent. Please sign the form so Chamber can contact you if we have questions.
You can also submit nominations online at forkswa.com/wp-content/uploads/pdf/2021-Best-Of.pdf
Please do not assume that someone else will nominate an obvious choice. A brief outline of the basic qualifications is provided for your review. Nominations may be made by all members of the community. Citizen and volunteer nominees do not need to be members of the Forks Chamber of Commerce. However, business nominees must be a current member of the Forks Chamber of Commerce.
Criteria for nominees are:
Citizen of the Year: The nominee must be a resident of the West End of Clallam or Jefferson County with activities centered in this area. A citizen who embodies selflessness, integrity, and promotes the good of the community through professional and/or volunteer activities. Activities or services should have been performed above the normal duties of an employed position.
Volunteer of the Year: This award is given to the volunteer most deserving of recognition for community service to a specific agency, and involvement in the West End of Clallam and Jefferson County.
Business of the Year: This award is given to a Forks Chamber of Commerce member business deemed most deserving of recognition for community service and involvement. Business practices include evidence of good business ethics and employee support.
Nomination forms are also available at the Forks Visitor Information Center/Chamber Office, 1411 S. Forks Ave., or request one by email at director@forkswa.com. The deadline for nominations is noon on Wednesday, April 13.
Winners will be selected by the Forks Chamber of Commerce Board. Winners of the ‘Best Of Awards’ will be announced/honored at the May 4, 2022, Chamber meeting at Blakeslee’s Bar and Grill, 1222 S. Forks Ave., at noon.
Past “Best of” award recipients:
Listed in order: Business of the Year – Citizen of the Year – Volunteer of the Year
2001 Jerry’s Rentals, Al Monroe, Link Mueller
2002 Forks Thriftway, Jack Zaccardo, Ginger Haberman
2003 Vagabond Restaurant, Ken Schostak, Paul Headley
2004 Lloyd George Jewelry, Barb Gronseth, Chuck Smith
2005 Forks Forum, Dick Haberman, Scott Seaman
2006 Sully’s Drive-In, Pat Soderlind, Willard Morgan
2007 West End Surf Shop, Nedra Reed, Randy Mesenbrink
2008 Forks Outfitters, Bruce Guckenberg, Dave Hersom
2009 Dazzled by Twilight, John Calhoun, Warren Johnson
2010 Ken Bechtold Logging, Marcia Yanish, Christi Baron
2011 Hungry Bear Café, Robin Schostak, Leith Grahn
2012 JT’s Sweet Stuffs, Michael Gurling, Cindy Mesenbrink
2013 Chinook Pharmacy, Bruce Guckenberg, John Glover
2014 Dahlgren Logging, Edith Henry, Dean Hurn
2015 Blakeslee’s Bar & Grill, Dixie Gaydeski, Donna Kimball
2016 Forks Forum, Christi Baron – Editor, Frank Hanson, Joe Wright
2017 Clear River Construction Inc., Lonnie Archibald, Mark Soderlind
2018 Forks Avenue Real Estate, Cheri Tinker, Chad and Shannon Dahlgren
2019 Concerned Citizens, Trooper Allen Nelson, Glenn King
2020 Home Slice Take N Bake, William R. Fleck, David Hurn
In 2016 Forks Outfitters was awarded a lifetime achievement award and in 2017 the Inez Halverson Award was introduced to acknowledge an entity that makes a difference in our community, the first recipient was Olympic Corrections Center. The “Halvie Award” is selected by the Chamber of Commerce Board. In 2018 the Forks Lions received the “Halvy Award” and in 2019 the Forks Police Department and Chief Mike Rowley were bestowed the honor.
In 2020 CDK Sewing Group and Feeding 5000 both received the Halvy Award and Forks Community Hospital and Quillayute Valley School District, Diana Reaume Superintendent both received Lifetime/Cornerstone awards.
