ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Nearly 240 attendees filled the ballroom at the District56 community center on Friday, Jan. 24 for the 73rd annual Volunteer Recognition and Board Installation Gala, which celebrates the achievements of local citizens and businesses. 

The Gala recognized members and trustees and provided the chamber with a chance to hand out awards to citizens and businesses that have helped the Elk Grove community over the past year. 

The award recipients were announced earlier in the month. 

TrendE Boutique, a women’s clothing boutique on Elk Grove Boulevard in Old Town, took home the coveted Business of the Year award. The chamber highlighted the shop’s commitment to donate $1 from every purchase to local charities on a quarterly basis via its “purchase with purpose” program.

In 2024, the shop donated close to $40,000 to local charities, including local youth sports, academic and afterschool programs. 

“I was a stay-at-home mom for a few years, and I owned a business before and I just felt like there was a need for a small boutique in this town,” Erica Jordan, TrendE Boutique’s owner said during her acceptance speech. “People were missing that one-on-one service. Just a place to come together and gather, and to be a vehicle for that has just been amazing…thank you for supporting.”  

SagePoint, a mental health clinic on Dwight Road, was awarded Small Business of the Year. The clinic provides care and support for adults with mental health and substance abuse disorders, both in person and virtually. 

Owner Caroline Bentley thanked the chamber and the business community for its support and encouragement, as well as her staff for the commitment and the clients for their trust. 

“In the midst of this mental health crisis I am so proud to be able to offer services to those in need,” Bentley said.

The Rookie of the Year award, which is only for businesses that have been in business for less than two years, went to RISE Women in Business, which provides a space for women entrepreneurs, professionals and moms to network and build their businesses. 

The nonprofit was founded by Brittany Davis and Jill Johnson. Davis said they had no idea how big the nonprofit would become. She added that over $150,000 in revenue was driven to Elk Grove through connections made through RISE. 

“It was just so exciting and very cool to see that there was a need for this,” Davis said. “It’s just really cool; we see a fun rotation of different women every month and we see them and get to connect with them.”

Runnin’ for Rhett, which began as a way for the parents of Rhett Seevers to honor their son, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and later died due to complications from the disease, was named Nonprofit of the Year. 

The group fundraises money for free fitness programs for children; to date, 53,000 kids have participated in the afterschool program. The program also hosts an annual 5K race. 

“We have a small but very able staff and a great group of volunteers,” said Tina Lee-Vogt, board chair. “I want to thank the chamber for recognizing us and welcoming us into the organization, and if you ever feel like you want to get up and run, come and run with Rhett. We are always there for you; just look for the baby blue.”

Earlier in the evening, Robert Rhymes, who serves as president of the Laguna Springs Rotary Club, was named Ambassador of the Year. 

Jack and Tracey Edwards, who have been active in a number of community organizations including the Elk Grove Lions Club and the American Legion Elk Grove, earned the Chamber Service Award.  

The chamber also installed its incoming board for 2025. 

The event closed out with outgoing board chair Josh Green passing the gavel to incoming board chair Amy Labowitch, who gave a speech outlining the chamber’s plans for 2025.

The goals include building a stronger ambassador and leadership team, increasing benefits for members and heightening its social media presence. 

“Businesses together as a group are going to be building a better community, ” Labowitch said. “We are stronger in numbers…I want to change the narrative, and it’s going to be what we can do together. Is everyone with me?”