The ABEX Awards are Saskatchewan’s largest and longest-running business awards program, celebrating business excellence since 1984. The awards gala will take place virtually on Saturday, Nov. 14, and organizers are encouraging guests to have "watch parties" with their cohort to join in the celebration.
In 2020, the ABEX Awards are shifting from its traditional celebration of Saskatchewan business success to recognizing businesses and individuals who have become Saskatchewan’s everyday heroes. These include Weyburn’s Melissa Carson, who is receiving the ABEX Award of Merit.
She was filmed receiving the award at the Weyburn Court House on Oct. 22, with her video to be shown during the virtual awards show on Nov. 14. Carson is being recognized for her efforts in feeding long-haul truck drivers home-made hot meals during the COVID lockdowns which kept restaurants closed during March and April.
In her acceptance speech for the award, Carson spoke of how humbling it was to be recognized in this way with a provincial award.
“I would like to thank the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce for the honour of being selected as a recipient for the Award of Merit at this year’s ABEX Awards.
“To be recognized as one of Saskatchewan‘s every day heroes is truly a blessing and an honour. If you would’ve told me I would be standing here today back in March when Feed our Truckers began, I would’ve never believed you,” she said, explaining how her initiative came about.
“I started out preparing meals for my parents, who are long-haul commercial drivers. That led into serving about half a dozen hot meals nightly at my local truckstop parking lot, which quickly turned into serving on average 16 meals every night for 55 nights in a row. The need for access to hot meals was apparent when the world came to a standstill.”
Carson paid tribute to the truckers who continued bringing essential supplies to communities even as they were under severe lockdown.
“Our commercial drivers never slow down, ensuring essential supplies made their way into consumer hands. The genuine and heartfelt appreciation from drivers who received a meal never went unnoticed. I have made some lasting friendships with a few of my regular truckers and still get the odd text asking if meals are still available.
“I was told by many drivers that their wife said I was spoiling them. I had drivers tell me they hadn’t had a hot meal in three to four weeks, and I even had a couple drivers tear up when I asked if they needed a meal. In total just under 1,000 meals were served over a span of about 100 days,” she said.
“Once again I would like to thank the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce as well as all the sponsors and supporters that make the ABEX Awards successful. Thank you.”
Since the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce is celebrating their centenary birthday this year, they are hosting ABEX with a 1920's theme - so dress up, and show up to celebrate the best of the best in Saskatchewan business.
Watch the show on Facebook, YouTubeor sign up to watch the show through CrowdCast: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/abex-2020
