Community Awards Gala

The Annual Community Awards Gala is an event featuring the community awards presentation to deserving Woodbury area recipients.

2024 Award Recipients: 

• Business: OffiCenters Woodbury (Watch Video)
• Educator: Karly Mejia, Woodbury High School (Watch Video)
• Everyday Hero: Shawn Sorrell (Watch Video)
• Public Safety Worker: Woodbury Police Officer, James Stoffel (Watch Video)
• Nonprofit: American Legion Woodbury Post 501(Watch Video)
• Lifetime Achievement: Clint Gridley, City of Woodbury (Watch Video)

2023 Award Recipients: 

• Business: Sparkle Plenty Cleaners (Watch Video)
• Educator: Nataliya Dorweiler, Lake Middle School (Watch Video)
• Everyday Hero: Jodi Ritacca (Watch Video)
• Public Safety Worker: Police Detectives Lynn Lawrence and Lucas Rogers (Watch Video)
• Nonprofit: Woodbury Royal Ambassadors (Watch Video)

Past Recipients:

2022 Award Recipients: 

• Business: Dorothy Ann Bakery (Watch Video)
• Educator: Joan Holper, Red Rock Elementary (Watch Video)
• Everyday Hero: Matt Johnson (Watch Video)
• Public Safety Worker: Police Sergeant Chris Donahoe (Watch Video)
• Nonprofit: Woodbury Heritage Society (Watch Video)
• Lifetime Achievement: Washington County Commissioner Lisa Weik (Watch Video)

2021 Award Recipients: 

• Business: Jersey Mike’s Subs (Watch Video) 
• Nonprofit:  Custom One Charities (Watch Video) 
• Educator: Marianne Taiwo & Krissi Bohlsen, Primrose School of Woodbury (Watch Video)
• Everyday Hero: Leah Huxtable & Eva Thompson, Bash for Brains (Watch Video)
• Public Safety Worker: Lee Vague, City of Woodbury (Watch Video)

2020 Award Recipients: 

• Business: Angelina’s Kitchen
• Citizen: Donna Stafford
• Educator: Jacquelyn Bock, Woodbury High School
• Nonprofit: Woodbury Community Foundation
• Public Safety: Woodbury Public Safety Department First Responders

2019 Award Recipients:

• Business: Culver's
• Citizen: Roger Green
• Educator: Louise Erickson with New Life Academy
• Nonprofit: Woodbury Senior Living
• Public Safety: Kris Mienert & Greg Rinzel

2018 Award Recipients:

• Business: Big Frog Custom T-Shirts of Woodbury
• Citizen: Mary Giuliani Stephens
• Educator: Randy Spring, Liberty Ridge Elementary School
• Public Safety Worker: Woodbury Police Officers: Jeff Benysek, Steve Hane, Adam Sack, Nick Wachal
• Nonprofit: Oak Meadows Senior Living
• Ambassador: Brian Griffin

2017 Award Recipients:

• Business: Family Achievement
• Citizen: Theresa Janechek
• Educator: Richard Romano - Newport Elementary
• Public Safety: Paul Kroshus & Imran Ali
• Nonprofit: Woodbury Athletic Association

2016 Award Recipients:

• Business: Crossroads Properties
• Citizen: Margaret Wachholz
• Educator: Lisa Hyland - Woodbury High School
• Nonprofit: Ideal Community Foundation
• Ambassador: Ruth Petermann

2015 Award Recipients:

• Business: Woodbury Dance Center
• Citizen: Nicole Robbins & Lisa Engh
• Educator: Christy Moen with Peace of Mind Early Education Center
• Nonprofit: Youth Service Bureau

2014 Award Recipients:

• Business: ICC Restoration & Cleaning Services
• Citizen: Inez Oehlke
• Educator: Nicole Loch - ISD 833-Next Step Program
• Nonprofit: Woodbury Lions
• Ambassador: Brian Johnson

2013 Award Recipients:

• Business: Minuteman Press
• Citizen: Jack Lanners
• Educator: Robin Kazek -  Lake Middle School
• Nonprofit: Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf

2012 Award Recipients:

• Business: Express Employment
• Citizen: Dwight Picha
• Educator: Brent Comedu - Woodbury High School

Please Note:

• *Nonprofit category added in 2013
• *Public Safety category added in 2017
• *Ambassador first awarded in 2014
• *Everyday Hero first awarded in 2021