Mark Childs has been named Wallaceburg’s Citizen of the Year.
The final two 2020 Business and Community Excellence Awards were announced live on 99.1 CKXS this morning.
The owner of the Black Goose Grill has a history of volunteer work in the community, including starting up a soup kitchen during the pandemic to help those in need.
Childs is also a big supporter of local sports programs, including the Wallaceburg Flag Football League, Defiance Running Club, and the former Big Bike for Heart and Stroke.
The Chip Gordon Community Builder award has been given to Mark and Sarah’s No Frills.
Mark Popieul took over the Warwick Drive store in 2019, and has been supporting the community with extended shopping hours and various health and safety measures through the pandemic.
Full list of 2020 Business and Community Excellence Awards:
Agricultural – Whyte’s Food Inc.
Whyte’s is Canada’s largest pickle and pepper packer. Last year Whyte’s opened a manufacturing facility here in Wallaceburg and have invested within the area ever since. Whyte’s values Canadian agriculture and supports our local farms by producing as many of their products as possible with Canadian crop.
Industrial Achievement – North Element Inc.
North Element supplies wholesale and retail customers de-icer 1,300 kms south to 2,200 kms north covering the entire snow belt region in both the USA and Canada with branded and private label products all coming out of the Wallaceburg facility. President and CEO Randy Furlan who lives just outside of Wallaceburg has been operating the business in town for over 10 years.
Technology – Aarkel Tool & Die Inc.
AarKel has been engineering and building precision tools and strong customer relationships since 1977. Their team is continuously working on new innovative technologies that make AarKel the supplier of choice.
Environmental – Sydenham Field Naturalists
Sydenham Field naturalists is a registered, non-profit organizations whose members aim to enjoy and preserve wildlife and natural history primarily in the Chatham-Kent area. With a record of ecological protection going back their entire 35 years of operation, they have helped conserve significant natural areas within the region.
Business of the Year – The Black Goose Grill
Opened in 2012, the Black Goose Grill has served our community with excellent customer service, cleanliness and great comfort food. They treat their customers like their own family and as a result, they have become a staple restaurant within the community.
Entrepreneur of the Year – Krista Mall
Krista Mall is a 42-year-old wife, mother, entrepreneur, real estate investor, landlord and licensed relator. With roots in Chatham-Kent, she has invested her time and business within the area through various veterinary hospitals, rental properties, and new subdivisions in development.
Young Professional – Andrew Bourdeau
Andrew Bourdeau is a young entrepreneur at the age of 19. This year he decided to follow his dreams. Not only is he going to St. Clair College for accounting, but he’s opened up a toy and collectable store in Wallaceburg, named Toy Wars and Collectables located on 21 Arnold Street.
Volunteer of the Year – Madison Hetherington (Clean Helping Hands CK)
Madison Hetherington, born and raised in Chatham-Kent, recently organized Clean Helping Hands CK in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Madison and her volunteers were able to help dozens of families each week for the first two months of the pandemic get their groceries and any other errands needed.
Community Inclusion – Select Finishing
Select Finishing works with vendors around the globe to provide a one-stop service. As a custom coater, they offer a wide variety of coating and certifications covering a multitude of expertise. From powder coating to Class A Automotive base/clear finishes they can fulfill all of your coating needs.
Wallaceburg BIA – The Black Goose Grill
Opened in 2012, the Black Goose Grill has served our community with excellent customer service, cleanliness and great comfort food. They treat their customers like their own family and as a result, they have become a staple restaurant within the community.
Dresden BIA – Stuart Kiar
Born and raised in Shawinigan Quebec, graduate of Western University with a Bachelor and Law degree is now a barrister and solicitor located in Dresden Ontario. He is married to Kathy, the owner of the Union Block Bakery on the main street of Dresden and father to one son Alex. His downtime passion is working with others on volunteer efforts to improve our community.
Citizen of the Year – Mark Childs
Mark Childs, a long time Wallaceburg resident and owner of the Black Goose Grill has a deep history of volunteer work within his community. From the Food Rescue program in 2018 and the Black Gooses soup kitchen during the wake of a pandemic, to his longstanding commitment to local sports programming through the Wallaceburg Flag Football League, the Defiance running club, and the formally run Big Bike program, Mark has dedicated his time to the Wallaceburg community.
Chip Gordon Community Builder – Mark & Sarah’s No Frills
Born and raised in Wallaceburg, Mark Popieul of No Frills realized he wanted to be a franchise owner and in 2019 he took over the 2 Warwick Dr. location and has been there ever since. Throughout these trying times, they have shown their commitment to the community by extending their shopping hours, creating a greeter position at the front door to manage safety concerns, and limiting the number of people coming into our location for safety. They strive every day to make sure each person walks out of the doors happy and with the products they came in to purchase.