Walmart DC Business of the Year

STERLING – The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce looked back at its 100-year history and celebrated the good works of many Thursday at its annual awards and dinner banquet.

Chamber Executive Director Kim Ewoldsen presented its Business of the Year award to the Walmart Distribution Center for its work to alleviate area hunger.

The DC has participated in the Let’s Feed Our Children free summer lunch program and the YMCA’s breakfast program for children, as well as provided food for cookouts at area senior centers.

Its workers have volunteered more than 3,200 hours with local nonprofits, and teamed with Frary Lumber to build a ramp for two elderly women who didn’t have the means to build it themselves, Ewoldsen said.

Susan Boyd, executive director of Sterling Main Street, received the President’s Award for contributing her time and talent to the chamber with a “yes, we can” attitude, outgoing chamber President Sam Card said.

The Friend of Education Award went to Sterling High School band director Mike McCoy.

Jerry Binder, school district director of human resources and a member of the chamber’s board, called McCoy a “renaissance man” with a passion for teaching.

“Countless times I’d take him a lost soul, and he’d find a place for him in the band,” Binder said.

The Community Spirit awards went to Sterling High School’s Dillon Schuneman and Rock Falls High School’s Nathan Fellows, who have been involved in Building Lasting Impressions that Never Die, Spanish Club, Key Club, and National Honor Society, board member Dave Noble said.

Janna Groharing, owner of The Precinct bar and restaurant and one of the founders of Sterling’s new Fourth Fridays event, received the Ambassador Co-Chair Award.

Amy Poci of Country Inn & Suites received the Ambassador of the Year Award, while the Individual Achievement Award went to Kelly Scribner of the Walmart Distribution Center.

Also Thursday, Card, chamber president the last 2 years, passed his gavel to Tim Determan.