Page 8 - INSIGHT MAGAZINE_January2025

2024 CAMBRIDGE & NORTH DUMFRIES COMMUNITY AWARDS

PHOTO SUPPLIED BY FEDORA MEDIA / 'MILL RACE PERSPECTIVE' PROVIDED BY KRAJEWSKI GALLERY AND PICTURE FRAMING
Cambridge Chamber hands out the hardware

The important work and achievements in the local not-for-profit sector and the individuals that play a key role in it were
recognized in November at the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Awards.
Nearly 300 community leaders and supporters attended the Hamilton Family Theatre to celebrate the positive influence
these groups and individuals have had during the past year. Ten awards, including one for lifetime achievement, were
presented in a variety of categories recognizing the valuable work undertaken by the volunteers and staff representing
nearly 40 various organizations.
Community Collaboration Award – Business & Education Community Impact People’s Choice Award – Hashtag Hope
Partnership of Waterloo Region What began as an internet outreach project just over a decade
The Business & Education Partnership of Waterloo Region ago to help those who were thinking about suicide has grown
collaborates well. When it launched in 2002, the group to become a strong grassroots community-based initiative.
immediately recognized the collective power of community Hashtag Hope thrives in spreading a message of hope. The
after founding its very successful Speakers Bureau and has run leading prevention of suicide is community, and this organization
events and provided speakers to many groups, including the believes through community everyone is given life; not only
KW Multicultural Centre, KW Small Business Centre, LevelUp, personally but organizationally as well. Hashtag Hope strives
Adventure4Change, Camino, OK2BME, and numerous school and thrives through strong community partnerships to host and
clubs. It has also formed lasting partnerships, including one with share its message and by partnering with community events, it
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Inc. (TMMC) which has continuously continues to share resources and conversations about hope and
sponsored and participated in its Explore Your Future career the need for more of it.
expos and played host to its skilled trades PD events.
Arts and Culture Award – Galt Jazz
Community Leadership Award – Charlene Hofbauer, What began as a dream to share music with the community
Executive Director of the Workforce Planning Board of snowballed into success for Galt Jazz, thanks to the dedication
Waterloo Wellington Dufferin and hard work of its organizers. With a very limited budget
Charlene Hofbauer, Executive Director of the Workforce of sponsorship funding, this group has continued to work
Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin, makes leading tirelessly developing a multi-pronged approach – which
a non-profit look almost effortlessly. In the past year, she has included hand delivering postcards this past year to more than
developed initiatives and approaches to support the workforce 500 Galt residents - to market and promote their venture. As
across North Dumfries and Cambridge. Some of her many well as encouraging downtown businesses to hang posters and
achievements have included providing job opportunities and spearheading a wide-reaching media campaign to get the word
placements to talent locally through community placement and out, Galt Jazz has taken their music to the streets performing
educational programs, connecting people to information that monthly shows that has assisted in the revitalization of our
helps them make evidence-based decisions about their future, downtown core.
as well as bringing the Workplace and Immigrant Network of
Waterloo Region to life with a diverse staff who help others.

8 Winter 2025 www.cambridgechamber.com