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The History of Shining Stars

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The Shining stars gala honors individuals and organizations that have made a positive impact in Chicopee and surrounding communities of Western Massachusetts. Each year, the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce Nominating Committee gathers and thoughtfully selects these nominees in the following four categories:

Citizen of the Year (since 1985), Business of the Year (since 1989), 

Volunteer of the Year (since 1993) and Nonprofit of the Year (since 2014).

Annually, an awards gala is held to bestow these awards and thanks to the selected nominees, to recognize their achievements and what they do for the community. Shining Stars is the largest chamber event of the year, filled with gratitude and standing ovations; it is truly an event to remember. Below is a listing of all past Shining Stars Awards Recipients, dating back to the first Citizen of the Year Award in 1985. The Business of the Year Award began in 1989, The Volunteer of the Year Award began in 1993, and the Non-Profit of the Year Award began in 2014. 'N/A' in an award category indicates if that was not yet an award; it may also indicate if the Shining Stars Gala did not take place that Year (1990 - 1991).

 

 

2024

 

2023

 

2022

 

2021

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

1998

 

1997

 

1996

 

1995

 

1994

 

1993

 

1992

 

1991

 

1990

 

1989

 

1988

 

1987

 

1986

 

1985

Citizen                   of the year

Ashley Kohl

 

Judith Corridan Danek

 

Janis Santos

 

No Event - COVID

 

Ruth Willemain (d. 2022)

 

Rotary Club of Chicopee

 

Dawn Creighton

 

Werner & Christine Maiwald

 

Mike Ashe

 

Andy Crane

 

Gail Sherman

 

Lorraine Houle (d. 2018)

 

Vernon Campbell

 

Jeff Sattler

 

Military of W. Mass

 

David Averill

 

Hubert Gottschlicht

 

Ted Garcynski

 

Knights of Columbus 4044, 69

 

Ted Hebert

 

The Sadowsky Family

 

Mayor Richard Kos

 

Moose Family Center

 

Kathleen Keating, SSJ

 

Joseph Peters

 

Helen Banas

 

James Stefanik

 

Joseph J. Chessy, Jr.

 

Raymond J. Chelte, Sr.

 

Delfo Barbani, Sr.

 

William Liswell

 

Atty. Thomas Murphy, Jr.

 

Brig. Gen. Mike Walter

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Stephen Jendrysik

 

Walter Mrozinski

 

Ruth Ogozalek

 

Francis Desmaris

 

Ernest Laflamme, Jr.

Business                 of the year

Mercedes-Benz of Springfield

 

McKinstry Market Garden

 

N. Riley Construction

 

No Event - COVID

 

Caolo and Bienek Architects

 

Log Cabin

 

Interstate Towing

 

Polish National Credit Union

 

Marois Construction

 

Dejordy, Dugre & Croteau

 

People's Bank

 

Birch Manor Rehab Center &

Skilled Nursing Ctr. (sold)

MicroTek, Inc.

 

Chicopee Electric Light

 

Ondrick Company

 

John R. Lyman Company (closed)

 

Hu Ke Lau Restaurant (closed)

 

Zasco Productions

 

Arnold's Meats

 

Pioneer Packaging Inc.

(Jefffrey & Jill Shinners d. 2023)

J. Polep Distribution Services

 

WWLP/TV22

 

Chicopee Industrial Contractors

 

Strawberry Productions, Inc.

 

WestBank (closed)

 

Valley Communications, Inc.

 

Topor Dodge & Topor Ford (sold)

 

Chicopee Savings Bank

(now Westfield Bank)

Universal Plastics Corporation

 

Spalding Sports Worldwide

(closed)

Teddy Bear Pools & Spas, Inc.

 

Sweeney Transportation, Inc.

 

Ayotte and King for Tile, Inc.

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Bob Pion Pontiac-Buick GM

Truck, Inc.

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

volunteer           of the year

Daryl Grabowski

 

Mim Zayas

 

Cidalia Inacio

 

No Event - COVID

 

Youssef-Fadel

 

David Fernandes

 

Karen Hansmann

 

Michael Epaul

 

Dave Malloy

 

Jason Reed

 

Corey Briere

 

Earl Laflamme

 

Ron Proulx (d. 2024)

 

Marie Laflamme

 

Michelle Sade

 

Gina Golash

(now Gina Kos)

David P. Owen

 

Paul Depelteau

 

Elaine Labbe

 

Sandra Averill

 

Bill Sharp

 

Paul Beaudreau

 

Don & Irene Roy

 

Lt. Col. James Joyce

 

Dr. Gloria Krason

 

Daniel Burack

 

Rose Thierren

 

Rhea Strepka

 

Judith Tremble-Murphy

 

Joseph Tracynski

 

Robert Bourdeau

 

Betty O'Connell

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

non-profit            of the year

Junior Achievement of Western

MA

Holyoke Community College

 

Pioneer Valley USO

 

No Event - COVID

 

Roca

 

Boys and Girls Club of Chicopee

 

Valley Opportunity Council (VOC)

 

Holyoke Medical Center

 

Sunshine Village

 

Elms College

 

AIM

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

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