The theme of the chamber’s Community Awards Gala for 2025 was An Enchanted Evening.
Enchantment resonated in the air from the beautifully decorated balloon arch by Chamber member Mandana, the pretty flower corsets on sale by Sweet Pea’s Floral to the cheerful smiles and party attires of the attendees. Owners of local businesses, and representatives from Woodbury-based nonprofits, the City of Woodbury, SoWashCo schools were among the attendees.
The annual Gala honors people and businesses who contribute to making Woodbury a great community to live and work.
Talking to Woodbury News Net about the selection process for the award winners, Laurie Staiger, President and CEO of the Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce (WACC), said that the awards committee reviews all applications and selects the recipients. “Nominations are received via our website in the designated categories. The businesses and nonprofits that are nominated and selected must be members of the WACC.”
2024 Award Recipients:
Lifetime Achievement: Clint Gridley, City Administrator, City of Woodbury
Educator of the Year: Karley Mejia, Woodbury High School
Public Safety Worker of the Year: Woodbury Police Officer James Stoffel
Everyday Hero: Shawn Sorrell
Nonprofit of the Year: American Legion Woodbury Post 501
Business of the Year: OffiCenters
City Administrator Gridely will retire this June after serving as administrator for over 20 years. Before inviting Gridley to accept his award Mayor Anne Burt said, “Woodbury is the economic hub of the east metro, Clint leaves an imprint on our city through his leadership and guidance. When he retires the culture will continue.”
Police Officer James Stoffel’s commitment to Woodbury Public Safety is visible in his work with his K9 partners and with the Washington County SWAT team.
Shawn Sorrell, is a volunteer in the city and facilitator of Woodbury’s Multicultural Advisory Committee for Public Safety.
Woodbury High School’s Spanish immersion teacher, Karley Mejia is loved by her students and well respected by her fellow teachers.
City of Woodbury council member, Steve Morris, was the Emcee for the event and he enlivened the announcements of the awards with his customary flamboyant words and had the audience engaged in his many costume changes.
After the awards a fun segment of the Gala is the bidding by the attendees on desserts donated by various bakeries and businesses in Woodbury. There was brisk and heavy bidding on the eight desert items with delectably decorated cakes going for $300 to $800.
The Gala also has a wine pull and a silent bidding on auction items. Funds garnered by the Gala are used by the WACC for their general operating budget.
