Chambers of Commerce present Spirit of Solano awards
Gumption and a dedication to the community are qualities shared by 10 businesses honored at Thursday’s 20th annual Spirit of Solano ceremony at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fairfield.
The gala event was sponsored by Westamerica Bank and the Solano Economic Development Corporation.
The awards, given by Chambers of Commerce throughout Solano, honor businesses believed to embody the “Spirit of Solano.”
Sandy Person, Solano EDC president, spoke about the spirit of giving each recipient possesses. “These stories, when you hear them, will make your heart sing,” she said. “Bravo to everyone.”
Dr. Marilyn Hopkins with Touro University accepted an award from the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce.
She spoke of a dedication of excellence through education, of service through graduating caring, knowledgable students ready to hit the ground running.
“We are very proud to be part of this community and very proud to be part of this today,” she said to thunderous applause.
Ernest and Ken Sousa, owners of Stars Recreation Center, were honored by the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce for a 19-year community partnership and a dedication to the county’s future.
“This is really great and really fun to do what we do,” advised Bill Bollman, bowling center manager, who accepted the award with Kelly Thaanum, banquet manager.
He spoke of the people he’s met through the years and emphasized that his experiences have been a blast.
“It’s great to see people come ... and wreck the place,” he joked.
Kevin Johnson with the Dixon Chamber of Commerce described Dixon Florist as a community icon.
“For 50 years they’ve been doing what they’re doing,” he said, explaining the business’ uniqueness and the owners’ deep community involvement.
“They bring love and care to everything they’re doing,” he continued.
Courtney Kett, who owns the business with her sisters, Melissa Taylor and Dana Martin, said the family is proud to be a part of Dixon.
“Life’s good and we are so very fortunate,” she said.
Kett shared a truism passed down from her parents: “You don’t just live in a community, you actually create the community you want to live in.”
Other Spirit of Solano award winners include:
• Law Office of Miriam Sammartino, Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
• Important Details Inc., Solano County Black Chamber of Commerce.
• Lira’s Supermarket, Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce.
• Zio Fraedo’s of Vallejo, Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of Solano County, Inc.
• Republic Services - Solano Garbage Company, Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce — Suisun.
•Texas Roadhouse, Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce — Fairfield.
• Round Table Pizza of Benicia — Benicia Chamber of Commerce.
The gala event was sponsored by Westamerica Bank and the Solano Economic Development Corporation.
The awards, given by Chambers of Commerce throughout Solano, honor businesses believed to embody the “Spirit of Solano.”
Sandy Person, Solano EDC president, spoke about the spirit of giving each recipient possesses. “These stories, when you hear them, will make your heart sing,” she said. “Bravo to everyone.”
Dr. Marilyn Hopkins with Touro University accepted an award from the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce.
She spoke of a dedication of excellence through education, of service through graduating caring, knowledgable students ready to hit the ground running.
“We are very proud to be part of this community and very proud to be part of this today,” she said to thunderous applause.
Ernest and Ken Sousa, owners of Stars Recreation Center, were honored by the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce for a 19-year community partnership and a dedication to the county’s future.
“This is really great and really fun to do what we do,” advised Bill Bollman, bowling center manager, who accepted the award with Kelly Thaanum, banquet manager.
He spoke of the people he’s met through the years and emphasized that his experiences have been a blast.
“It’s great to see people come ... and wreck the place,” he joked.
Kevin Johnson with the Dixon Chamber of Commerce described Dixon Florist as a community icon.
“For 50 years they’ve been doing what they’re doing,” he said, explaining the business’ uniqueness and the owners’ deep community involvement.
“They bring love and care to everything they’re doing,” he continued.
Courtney Kett, who owns the business with her sisters, Melissa Taylor and Dana Martin, said the family is proud to be a part of Dixon.
“Life’s good and we are so very fortunate,” she said.
Kett shared a truism passed down from her parents: “You don’t just live in a community, you actually create the community you want to live in.”
Other Spirit of Solano award winners include:
• Law Office of Miriam Sammartino, Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
• Important Details Inc., Solano County Black Chamber of Commerce.
• Lira’s Supermarket, Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce.
• Zio Fraedo’s of Vallejo, Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of Solano County, Inc.
• Republic Services - Solano Garbage Company, Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce — Suisun.
•Texas Roadhouse, Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce — Fairfield.
• Round Table Pizza of Benicia — Benicia Chamber of Commerce.
