Sitka, Alaska (KINY) – The recipients for the Cossack Cap, Business of the Year, and New Business of the Year were announced on Saturday at the Sitka Chamber’s Annual Awards Gala: Awards in Wonderland.
In addition to the annual top three business awards, the Chamber recognized this year’s Community Heroes.
Cossack Cap
Fred Reeder received the prestigious Cossack Cap Award.
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The award, established in 1974, is presented to individuals who have distinguished themselves in unselfish and extraordinary public service to the citizens of Sitka. This award was emotionally presented to Reeder by his daughter, Holly Meyer, a member of the Chamber Board.
Reeder knows his community better than most- whether it was serving as mayor, being the president of the school board, coaching various athletics teams, or raising his children, he has been an integral part of Sitka for decades. For almost 30 years, he represented Sitka as the Port Manager for Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska. His hard work, dedication, and charming personality have forged so many critical relationships that have benefited the economic health of the community and served as a steward for Sitka every step of the way. These lifetime achievements have earned Reeder the prestigious honor of receiving the Cossack Cap Award.
Business of the Year
Our Town Catering received the Business of the Year award. Established in 1992 to honor an outstanding business and to recognize its merit and contributions to the local Business community.
Our Town Catering opened its doors in 2016 and immediately started bringing a much-needed service to Sitka.
Its owner Chef Edith Johnson’s willingness to go above and beyond has played a major role in bringing large events and conferences to town and has contributed to significant economic growth in Sitka’s community, resulting in the Chamber Board’s choice to honor them as Business of the Year for 2024.
New Business of the Year
Sitka Nuts received the New Business of the Year Award.
Established to honor an outstanding new business in Sitka and to recognize its merits and contributions to the local Business community. Immediately joining the Chamber and becoming an active force in the community, business owner Ian Dempster said he wanted to start something that Sitka hadn’t seen before. Not only that, but he wanted to be a good representative of the community.
He wanted to start something that Sitkans can take pride in and feel a connection to, and the Chamber believes that Sitka Nuts has a great future ahead.
Community Heroes
The Chamber honored Sitka Elks Lodge #1662 as the 2024 Community Heroes.
Through the use of grants and fundraising, the local Elks lodge donates snacks, supplies, shoes, and raingear to the Sitka School District students annually, along with hosting various benefit dinners throughout the year in support of the Salvation Army, the Sitka Homeless Coalition, and Southeast Alaska Commercial Trollers, just to name a few.
