The Altona and District Chamber of Commerce celebrated local business and community leadership at its annual awards, recognizing excellence across multiple categories, including business, entrepreneurship, and community service. In the business category for organizations with 11 employees or more, Red River Mutual was honoured with a Business Excellence Award, a milestone that comes shortly after the company marked its 150th anniversary. President and CEO Brenda Gibson said the recognition prompted reflection on what has allowed the company to endure for more than a century. “We know without a doubt, it really is grounded in the values and the commitment to our community, to looking after one another, to being resilient, and to adapting to change,” Gibson said. She added that while the company is proud of its history, its focus remains on the future. “Our legacy isn’t just something that we look back on. It’s something we continue to build each and every day.” Meanwhile, in the category for businesses with 10 employees or fewer, Altona Dental Centre was recognized for its steady growth and local impact. Owner Dr. Ke Bo said what began as a short-term move to help during a staffing shortage turned into a long-term commitment to the community. “Before I knew it, Altona became home,” he said. “We’ve grown from a team of just three employees to nine, and almost all of those hires have been local.” He added that supporting the community goes beyond patient care. “Supporting local people and creating opportunities within the community means a great deal to us.” Also recognized was Beautiful Bend Therapy, with owner Jenna-Lee Luptak honoured for her work supporting families through difficult and often complex journeys. Luptak said her path into private practice was shaped by personal experience and a desire to fill gaps in available services. “Our world broke and we had to bend. There is some beauty in this bend, even how devastating it has been,” she said. “And now I’ve been blessed to help other families find their own beauty in the bends that they have to make.” She said she hopes to continue growing her work into a more collaborative, holistic model of care for families in the region. “I want to continue to be that safe space for parents and children to share who they are, to provide a space where you truly feel seen, heard, and supported.” The chamber also recognized the Altona and Area Family Resource Centre as Nonprofit of the Year, highlighting its long-standing support for families with young children in the region. Coordinator Nina Edbom-Kehler said the honour belongs to the broader community that makes the organization’s work possible. “Your ongoing financial support is what makes our programs possible, and we are deeply thankful for your trust and commitment to families in our region,” she said Founded in 1998, the centre continues to operate on the belief that families raising young children shouldn’t have to do it alone. “Early childhood can feel like uncharted territory, but we believe no family should have to navigate it alone,” Edbom-Kehler said. “If we can help even one parent feel more confident, one child feel more supported, and just one family feel more connected, then we are doing something meaningful.” Across all categories, this year’s award winners pointed to a common theme—community support, resilience, and a shared commitment to making a difference in Altona.