A longtime Squamish youth sports volunteer and a business that has supported countless community events and initiatives were lauded at a gala ceremony on the weekend.
Katrina Doherty, who is perhaps best known for her role as the current Squamish Youth Soccer Association president, was named Citizen of the Year on Saturday (Jan. 29) at the Squamish Chamber of Commerce's annual President's Gala at the Squamish Valley Golf Club.
Nesters Market, which has supported such events and initiatives as the Seniors Centre, Loggers Sports, the Test of Metal and the Helping Hands Society, was named Business of the Year.
In addition to serving as Squamish Youth Soccer president, Doherty has also volunteered her time over several years to the Howe Sound Minor Ball, Squamish Minor Hockey and the parent advisory councils for Valleycliffe and Stawamus elementary schools, and Howe Sound Secondary School.
"The commitment, diplomacy and humour that Katrina brings to all her volunteer activities is inspirational to the community of Squamish," wrote one person who nominated Doherty.
Accepting the award from Chief Publisher Laila Michell, Doherty's humour and humility were on display during a brief speech to the 150 or so in attendance.
She thanked all the people "who I have had the pleasure to have worked with, be it soccer folks or sandwich-making grad moms," praising them for their patience in working with someone "who has the attention span of a gnat."
She also thanked her parents Anne and Peter Martin: "If you're going to learn from someone, it's best to do it at the knees of masters," she said.
Doherty thanked her children Keegan, Cameron and Mackenzie, and her husband Kevin for helping facilitate her volunteer work.
"He will remind me that when I volunteer it doesn't mean he volunteered, and then he will help me anyway because he loves me and I love him," she said.
Squamish, she said, is full of dedicated and caring people.
"I'm very thrilled to be a member of this community," Doherty said.
Sean Daly, Nesters general manager, accepted the Business of the Year award on behalf of the store from Mark Stephens, North Shore Credit Union branch manager.
One of the three nominees for Citizen of the Year, Daly thanked his Nesters colleagues, some of whom joined him at the front of the room as he accepted the award.
"Without them, we're just another business in town," Daly said.
Cindy Cardiff, who has volunteered her time to organize Relay for Life, Canada Day celebrations, local Olympic and Paralympic torch celebrations and other events, was the third nominee.
Training Innovations, Chances Boardwalk Squamish and Agnes Jean Boutique also were nominated for Business of the Year.
Also on Saturday, Chamber President Maurice Freitag announced that Elliott Moses has been hired as the Chamber's new manager. He will replace Kenny Music on March 1.
