At its 27th Annual Fundraiser Dinner on Saturday, the Wrangell Chamber of Commerce announced its honors list for 2017.
There were five nominees for this year’s Wrangell Citizen of the Year: school board member and Wells Fargo Bank employee Aleisha Mollen; Sourdough Lodge proprietor Bruce Harding; Alaska Vistas operator Sylvia Ettefagh; Dr. Lynn Prysunka at Alaska Island Community Services; and Evergreen Elementary School secretary Renate Davies.
Of the candidates, Prysunka was awarded this year’s honor, having served the community as a family practice physician for 20 years. Noted among her accomplishments were the challenging hours and dedication needed, the commitment she had shown despite intermittent staffing shortages, and her service as medical director for the AICS clinic, the Wrangell Medical Center chief of staff, medical director for the local Emergency Medical Services, and the medical director of the Crossings Wilderness Program.
In her nomination letter it was noted: “Dr. Prysunka’s schedule is always full as her services are in high demand. Patients value her expertise, professionalism, kindness, and patience. She often goes the extra mile for her patients as her goal is always the best possible medical outcome.”
The Chamber’s Business of the Year Award went to grocery store Bobs’ IGA, for its role in supporting the local food bank, ministerial events, and local recycling efforts. Owned by Bob and Bobbie Robbins, the business was lauded for its hiring and management practices as well.
“If there is a fundraiser going on, Bob will donate or share his space at the store to others. If someone is in need of essentials, Bob is there to help give a hand and donate,” stated the store’s nomination letter.
“We always appreciate this type of award, but there are plenty of other businesses that do a lot,” Bob Robbins noted afterward. “We’re just happy we have the resources to do what we do.”
This year’s Young Leaders awards went to high school seniors Reyn Hutten, Alex Angerman and Kaylauna Churchill. The award goes to local youth who have shown leadership, commitment to the community and intelligence and who are positive role models for their peers.
A special Community Appreciation Award was presented to Hannah’s Place, a non-profit on Church Street dedicated to assisting local women in need. It provides a variety of services for women of all ages, including education with peer counseling, networking for resources and a wide variety of items helpful to pre- and post-natal care.
Held at the Nolan Center, despite awful icy road conditions, around 120 guests still made it out for the catered dinner, drinks and the premiere of six short promotional videos the City of Wrangell and the Chamber will use to attract visitors to the island. Final figures are still being put together, but a dessert auction and raffle for two round-trip tickets provided by Alaska Airlines were among the fundraising aspects of the dinner.
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