This year’s winners of the annual awards were surprised with visits at their places of work
Every year, the Woodland Chamber of Commerce awards two individuals and one business with the Citizen of the Year, the Employee of the Year, and the Business of the Year awards. Even though 2020 was a challenging year for everyone, the Chamber did not want to let the Woodland community go a year without its wonderful people and businesses being recognized and awarded.
In previous years, the Chamber would coordinate with the winners or, at times, to surprise them, but this year’s notifications went a bit different. The Chamber Board coordinated their surprise visits at each of their places of work. In each case, the winners’ faces were first covered with confusion of why the Chamber Board was standing in front of them holding balloons and flowers, but then shifted to excitement that they were being awarded.
2020 Citizen of the Year – Joy Asmussen
Joy Asmussen was nominated because of her selfless dedication to the Woodland community. She has numerous board positions for many community organizations including Woodland Historical Museum, Planters Days, Chamber of Commerce, Preschool co-op, Rotary, and the Christmas Giving project to name just a few. A lot of these organizations would not be the same without Joy’s tireless dedication to her community and great appreciation to her employer, Columbia Bank, for making her time available for so many in the community.
2020 Employee of the Year – Codi Arnold, Safeway Woodland
Codi Arnold joined the community after accepting the position of manager at the local Safeway. Since then, he has assisted in a lot of great improvements and support to many community organizations like at point-of-sale donations for the local food bank, donating supplies to people in need as well as working with local companies to supply the community with highly sought after products when the pandemic started. He has helped secure donations for the new Woodland Library, worked on his day off during a snowstorm and so much more. “Woodland Safeway gained a great employee, and the town of Woodland gained a marvelous asset. Even more telling was how his employees and management team worked to surprise him with this honor and surrounded him in support for this award,’’ read a statement from the Woodland Chamber of Commerce.
2020 Business of the Year – The Woodland Corner Store
Anthony Kasziewicz and community minded go hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly (which is on his new deli menu). He supports nonprofits, veterans, and those in need. He chooses to carry local products and believes in supporting local efforts. “No one is ever a stranger when you walk through his front doors, you are welcomed with a warm hello or welcome back,’’ read a statement from the Woodland Chamber of Commerce. Recently, the Woodland Corner Store has expanded and now has a full deli and espresso and Kasziewicz has hopes of his store and deli to be a meeting place for people and organizations in the future. “Even through his own personal hardships, he has put so much into this business, supporting other small business owners, and bringing the small-town feel of the General Store back to our community,’’ read the Woodland Chamber of Commerce statement.
Members of the Woodland Chamber of Commerce wish they could honor Joy, Codi and the Woodland Corner Store in person as they have done in year’s past. As of now, the annual banquet is on hold until organizers know more about when they will be able to be together again.
Chamber members remind others that Woodland is open for business. Area residents can can visit and congratulate each of the winners at their local business or employer to show them appreciation and support for being a part of Woodland.
To know more about the Woodland Chamber of Commerce, follow on facebook to keep up to date on ribbon cuttings for new businesses and promotions of local businesses. Check out the Chamber of Commerce website and the businesses in our area. To become a member, contact the Chamber through its website www.woodlandwachamber.com.
Information provided by Woodland Chamber of Commerce.
