Hants Journal: Good corporate citizens come through for community

This is the time of year when the volunteers of our community are honoured. Those who donate their time and talents are shown special appreciation by the church, organization, or nursing home, which, they serve without pay or enumeration of any kind.

I think we should also honour those in our community, whom I would designate as "Good Corporate Citizens". In business today, we hear so much about the “bottom line,” or, how much profit the shareholders will actually rake in. But there are some business owners who choose to give back to the community, who feel like it is a good thing to invest in the community as a whole.

There are probably many that each of us would categorize in this way, but I have some special ones in my heart that I would mention.

Since we didn’t do this in Windsor this year, I would like to present my own nominations for the title of “Good Corporate Citizen of Windsor, for 2007."

For Best Corporate Citizen of Windsor for the Year 2007, this title would, without a doubt, go to Jeff Redden of Home Hardware. Jeff initially joined his dad's hardware store, eventually taking it over and building it up until today he has a staff of 35.

As a business owner, Jeff is approached daily for donations to charities - all of those things we classify as" a good cause." Jeff does give to those things -to the fire departments, the churches, youth hockey and softball. One of the recipients who have received the most from Jeff's generosity has been the Hospital Auxiliary and the big push now is for the Aquatic Center. The list goes on to just about every organization you can think of.

For “Best New Corporate Citizen of Windsor for the Year, 2007,” without question, I would nominate Scott Geddes of Woodshire Inn and Cocoa Pesto Bistro.

Scott, with his wife Marilyn opened this business less than nine months ago. We knew something special was about to happen when they painted the building a shade that cannot be missed. This shade appropriately reflects Scott's enthusiasm, his joie de vie. Open seven days per week and with a staff of 27 you might wonder how he has time for anything else.

Like Jeff Redden, he also receives many requests for donations. At the top of his list is the Hospital Auxiliary, and things for the youth of the town including the Aquatic Center and a new skate board park

I have personally seen Jeff and Scott working together on an idea -- one gets the idea and the other expands on it, until you think there is no limit to how far they will go to carry it to completion.

The ‘Front Yard Fix-Up’ and ‘Communities in Bloom’ for the Municipality are just two examples of how they promote good will, some fun, and at the same time make the residents proud of this area where they live.

Make no mistake about it -- you have not heard the end of this "Dynamic Duo."

These are my nominations, for 2007. As I say to my friends, -- "ya gotta love these guys." Think about it, and perhaps you will come up with different ones for next year. Perhaps it would be for the Dry Cleaners, a small business that averages at least 10 requests per week for charitable donations, or Allen’s Beverages. There are a lot out there, and I think the public should be made aware of the generosity, and the spirit, of these individuals.

Let us honour those in business who help us, as they invest in the community with their vision for the future. By example, they fill us with hope, with enthusiasm, and good will. As they pour their support into the community, let us also give our support back to them, in their place of business.

Marilyn White

Windsor