The Bunker youth ministry has been named the 2017 Non-Profit of the Year.

The winners of the P.W Enns Business Awards were announced at the Winkler Chamber of Commerce's AGM on Thursday.

"It's a very overwhelming feeling," Bunker Executive Director Kevin Hildebrand says.

"To me, this is recognition of the young people in this community that maybe a lot of people wouldn't look at in a positive way," he says. "If we succeed, I'm hoping that is a reflection of the young people in this community, and our success reflects down on them."

The Bunker has been in operation for 32 years, founded by a group of business and church leaders.

"They probably had no idea what would come of this, but they knew they needed something to help the young people," Hildebrand says.

The ministry is continued today thanks to the support of an anonymous community group of 50 business owners, farm owners and individuals. (https://www.pembinavalleyonline.com/local/anonymous-group-of-financial-supporters-expand-the-work-of-the-bunker-for-nearly-two-decades)

The Bunker recently moved into a new, expanded facility. (https://www.pembinavalleyonline.com/local/54705-bunker-expansion-paves-the-way-for-groundbreaking-non-profit-team-up-video)

Winkler's best businesses and non-profits will be honoured April 20 at the awards gala.

Winkler Coop will be awarded in the Business Excellence category.

Penner Waste is taking home the Business Excellence award for ten employees or more, while Dominion Outdoors has won in the ten employees or less category.

The Customer Service award goes to Country Cycle and Ski.

The event's keynote speaker is David Chilton, well-known author of 'The Wealthy Barber'.