Celebrating excellence: Fort St. John’s Community Awards 2024 highlights

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The 17th edition of the Fort St. John Community Awards was handed out in Centennial Park on Saturday, September 7th.

The ceremony, which recognized individuals and groups whose tireless efforts have impacted the lives of city residents, was held during the 11th annual Moose Media Block Party.

Fort St. John Pharmacy and Wellness Centre at 9730 101 Avenue took home the Business of the Year award.

Founded by Mike Ortensky, the pharmacy serves citizens with basic pharmacy needs, such as over-the-counter medicine and prescriptions. It also serves veterinarians by compounding medicine for local animal clinics.

Centre staff are also shareholders in the business, and according to Pharmacy Manager Cory Hermans, the business was “beyond honored” to take home the prize.

“We were all pretty excited to win,” said Hermans. “It means that we’re doing things right.  We all work here. We’re doing what we want to do.”

“Here, we don’t have to answer to a large corporation and can just focus on people.  If my mom came in, I’d treat her the same as I treated Ms. Roberts, who I see once a month.”

Ortensky, who suffered a stroke late last year, was unavailable to attend the ceremony, but staff shared pictures with him, and he sent a congratulatory “yes” response in a text.

“It was nice to get that little response,” explained Hermans. “He’s so excited and happy.”

Fort St. John Métis Society took home the award for Non-Profit of the Year.

The nominee committee described the society as a “dynamic force for community betterment” in its decision.

Over the past year, the society has opened the Métis Cafe Food Truck and focused on programs benefiting nation elders and food security. 

More recently, they moved to a new home and broke ground on a daycare.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Bailee Copeland-Hambrook said the organization was “excited and grateful” for the nomination.

City Mayor Lilia Hansen and Peace River North MLA Dan Davies attended the awards ceremony, and they posed for pictures with the winners.

Other winners included Emmanuella Ogoke, who won Youth of the Year, and Lido Theatre owner Brian Kirschner, who took home Citizen of the Year.

The awards have been issued annually since 2007. 

Further information about the community awards can be found on the event’s website.