About 150 people attended the ninth annual Greater Ishpeming Negaunee Chamber of Commerce Gala on Thursday evening. The event featured awards for businesses and organizations, and is an end-of-the-year fundraiser for the chamber, organizers say. (Courtesy photo)

ISHPEMING — It was a time to reflect on the successes of western Marquette County communities in the past year.

About 150 community leaders representing businesses and organizations attended the Greater Ishpeming Negaunee Chamber of Commerce’s ninth annual gala on Thursday.

“The evening really represents the engagement of the community,” GINCC Director Bob Hendrickson said in a phone interview today. “That people will get together in this way. It really went well, we had a full room and it was a fun evening.”

The keystone of the GINCC fundraiser is the annual awards for chamber member of the year, business of the year, organization of the year, businessperson of the year, and volunteer of the year, Hendrickson said.

Gauthier Insurance earned the Chamber Member of the Year award for its “dedicated participation in the Winter Wonderland event here at Wawanowin Country Club and support at the Noquemanon aid station at Al Quaal.”

MBank garnered the Business of the Year Award for its “numerous donations and sponsorships to the west end community including local schools, booster clubs,” and organizations, Hendrickson said.

Organization of the Year was given to Great Lakes Recovery Centers, Hendrickson said.

“In a time when substance abuse and mental health are topics of concern, the Great Lakes Recovery Centers offer hope and a second chance to those afflicted,” Hendrickson said.

Greg Toutant was awarded the Business Person of the Year for his “compassion and drive to help our community with their mental health and substance abuse needs.” Toutant is “a beacon of hope for the behavioral health profession,” Hendrickson said.

The Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Ishpeming Beautification Committee Chair Linda Andriacchi, who is “an Advanced Master Gardener certified by Michigan State University and pays that knowledge forward by dedicating time as the volunteer chairperson for the Ishpeming DDA (Downtown Development Authority) Beautification Committee.”

Hendrickson said choosing winners was difficult this year due to the sheer number of nominations.

“There are many people who were nominated, and they were equally deserving,” Hendrickson. “In the end these awards represent a job well done by all.”

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242.