Orléans West-Innes city councillor Laura Dudas has been busy the last few weeks delivering Gem Awards to some of the shining businesses and organizations in her ward.

Dudas started the award program in 2021 to give residents the chance to nominate their favourite business or organization for making an effort to be an integral part of the community they serve.

Members of Arteast accept their Gem Award for Best Arts or Cultural Organization from Orléans West, Innes Ward councillor Laura Dudas. PHOTO SUPPLIED

“The nominations are not just chosen for excelling at a particular business or service,” explains Dudas’ special assistant Chelsey Wynne. “Those who are nominated, and win, shine because they have made themselves integral to the fabric of our community, through excellent customer service, outreach and a deep love for the community they serve.”

This year’s recipients include Rangoli as Best Retail Budiness Food, Arteast as Best Arts or Cultural Organization and Studio Jade as Best Personal Service Business.
Other recipients include ACE ARTE Studio for Best New Business and Blanc & Turquoise for Best Retail Business - Merchandise. Other awards still to be announced are Best Restaurant, Best Community Service Organization, Best Professional Service Business and Best Com-munity Social Organization.

This is the 4th year of Councillor Dudas’ coveted Gem Awards.

Originally started during the pandemic as a way to recognize our local heros, the Gem Awards have grown to recognize local organizations and businesses in the East End of Ottawa that truly make our community sparkle.

The Gems awards are an opportunity to recognize and appreciate outstanding small businesses and service organizations that are unique to Orléans and make our community a more vibrant place to live, work and play.

The truly special element of the Gems Awards is that all nominations come directly from the community. Any member of the public can nominate their favourite Orléans small business or community organization.

The nominations are not just chosen for excelling at a particular business or service. Those who are nominated, and win, shine because they have made themselves integral to the fabric of our community, through excellent customer service, outreach and a deep love for the community they serve.