2021 Member Milestones
There are so many inspiring tales of excellence in our community beyond what we will highlight during this year’s awards program. Head-and-shoulders-above, best-in-class, all-time firsts, innovative breakthroughs, and proudest moments are abundant in our member community. We sent a questionnaire to our member base to find out some of their proudest standup moments, innovations, and achievements in 2021 according to them, with the goal to shine a light on that which distinguishes and defines our community.
Systems West Engineers:
Systems West Engineers reports they succeeded in securing an energy efficiency rebate of over $400,000 for their client, Oregon State University. With their unique experience and expertise, they worked with the University and Energy Trust of Oregon to document the project’s savings of 2.1 GWh of electricity per year — ultimately securing an energy efficiency rebate of over $400,000 for the university. This is the largest energy efficiency rebate Systems West has ever secured for a client. Systems West Engineers also designed the project. Full project details can be found here: https://systemswestengineers.com/work/oregon-state-university-district-utility-plant-design/
During the 2021 calendar year, Systems West Engineers hired 10 new team members, the most hired in one year in the business’ 33 year history. They also successfully completed a company rebrand, launched a new website, redesigned their logo, and refined their brand strategy. Well done Systems West Engineers
https://systemswestengineers.com/work/oregon-state-university-district-utility-plant-design/.
SWE’s chilled water and condenser water systems
Hearts for Hospice:
Hearts for Hospice is celebrating 10 years of funding grants to local hospice organizations, with a total of $351,930 given since 2011!
Located in Downtown Springfield, this charming resale shop prides itself in providing high-quality items (clothing, housewares, furniture, medical equipment, and more) at bargain prices. Run by a small team, and lots of effort by a stellar group of volunteers, Hearts for Hospice can deliver maximum dollars to fund local grants. 2021 marked another year where the Board fielded calls for grants, and allocated funds to local organizations, based on the profits directly driven by local shoppers.
Https://www.facebook.com/heartsforhospiceoregon/posts/4153822454731471
The Chronicle:
The 2021 Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association awards, once again saw The Chronicle receive recognition for outstanding local news. The Chronicle took home 18 awards for its news coverage, advertising, and design, meaning that the paper has now earned 26 awards in 2 years! The 2022 awards will be announced in the fall. Learn more at:
https://www.chronicle1909.com/posts/4618/the-chronicle-earns-18-state-awards-for-weekly-paper-ads
The Nerd Stuff:
After a successful transition to new branding and a Grand Opening in 2021, The Nerd Stuff made waves on the local technological support scene and grew business by 22%! Learn more about their organization on their website: https://thenerdstuff.com/
The Springfield Chamber’s Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for The Nerd Stuff
Rexius:
Rexius has a well earned reputation for being a pillar in local charitable work, and contributed that in many ways in the past year. The many projects below reflect the enormous positive impact Rexius made in the local community just this year:
- Completed Shana’s Trail for Willamalane
- Purchased New Uniforms for Every Springfield Middle School Athlete
- Was Awarded the Ace Civic Award by Multifamily NW
- Treated the Staff, Students and Parents of Mckenzie School (Holiday Farm Fire) to an Oregon Football Game
- Provided Christmas Gifts to each student at Maple Elementary School
- Chaired the 2021 Alzheimer’s Walk for a Cure
- Provided Classroom Supplies to all the teachers of Maple Elementary, Mckenzie School and Bertha Holt Elementary
- Worked together with Multifamily NW to provide sheds to families who lost homes in the Holiday Farm Fire
- Provided 100 Thanksgiving Dinners to the Families of The Relief Nursey
- Provided Family with a Motor Home who had lost their home in the Holiday Farm Fire
- Awarded 20,000 dollars in scholarships to the Graduates of Mckenzie School
- Provided Christmas gifts to over 100 families thru the Lane County Parole team.
Learn more at www.hopeprojecthelps.com
Shana’s Trail Construction
SELCO Community Credit Union:
In 2021, SELCO celebrated its 85th year in business! In keeping with thier commitment to our communities, they marked the occasion by performing 85 Acts of Kindness. Find details of the many projects, and photos from each at the following link:
https://express.adobe.com/page/KV1NmkNE14v7e/.
Delivery 30 water bottles to the Springfield Education Foundation for Springfield students.
Vollara:
Vollara is celebrating it’s first full year in business! Vollara has rooted itself as a member of our community, growing business, enriching lives, and creating partnerships with local businesses and organizations through strong communication of brand values. Learn more about Vollara’s air scrubbers at https://www.vollara.com/order/Air02/?u=LongevityPath
Vollara air scrubber located in The Springfield Chamber office!
Mereté Hotel Management
Liz Dahlager, EVP of Mereté Hotel Management received the 2022 “Paving the Way” Award from American Hotel & Lodging Association – AHLA. This awards honors women in the hospitality industry for their exceptional leadership and support of other women. Liz is an outstanding Springfield Chamber Board Member and we couldn’t agree more that her hard work and leadership is well-deserving of celebration. Congratulations Liz! Learn more here.
Campfire Collaborative
In a well earned piece of national recognition for noteworthy local work, Jenna Fribley was named Citizen Architect by AIA. Fribley is principal and co-founder of Campfire Collaborative: Architecture & Design, a Springfield, Oregon–based firm that received the AIA Northwest and Pacific Region 2020 Emerging Firm Award. Fribley is an architect, interior designer, teacher, realtor, commissioner, board member, entrepreneur, and community advocate. After establishing her own firm in Springfield, Oregon, Fribley has become a relentless force behind the revitalization of downtown Springfield. Read more about the well-deserved award from AIA here!
Thank you to all our members for shared your stories with us. Learning about these achievements is important in recognizing the essential role that businesses (and the individuals that they’re comprised of) play in defining our community. By bringing attention to these distinguished contributions, it not only allows others to gain awareness of what issues and problems are present in society that are actively being worked locally on to solve, but it also creates a culture of change for benefit of the community as a whole, and inspires all of us to devote time and energy to improve our community in a meaningful way while blazing trails for others to follow.
