Judging by the standing ovation each award recipient received at the Rathdrum Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards Dinner and Auction on Saturday night, those named came as little surprise to the attendees.

The recipients, however, were plenty surprised.

“Oh my gosh, it feels wonderful,” Roxanne Kusler, Rathdrum’s newly named Citizen of the Year, said with a smile.

Chamber executive director Ashley Cameron described Kusler as someone of “dedication, compassion and leadership.”

“She is the heart of North Idaho,” Cameron said.

Raffi Peltekian’s Cascadia Pizza Co. was named Business of the Year, a title he called “an unexpected honor.”

Cascadia is well-known throughout the area for its charitable work, including toy drives for Toys for Tots and fundraisers for local schools.

“They have poured so much love into this community,” Cameron said.

Garry and Robin Mickelson received the Nonprofit of the Year Award for their work through Outreach Eats — a program that, Cameron explained, has become a “lifeline” for some of the youngest members of the community.

The faith-based program offers free hot meals and other forms of support to Rathdrum’s at-risk youth.

“They remind them that there is hope, and that they’re never alone,” Cameron said.

The couple expressed that they “didn’t see (the award) coming.”

“We just feel so blessed by the community of Rathdrum,” Robin said.

And there was perhaps no one better than Bob Jones to take the title of Volunteer of the Year.

His life’s work has been dedicated to the Lakeland Joint School District — first as a teacher, then as principal and ultimately as superintendent.

“He defines what it means to serve,” said commerce board member Kandi Johnson. “He doesn’t just volunteer; he leads and inspires.”

True to form, Jones was humbled by the recognition.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said.

About 200 of Rathdrum’s finest came together Saturday night, both to celebrate the award recipients and to raise money for the chamber’s scholarship and internship programs.

Well over $10,000 was raised through a silent auction and opportunities to donate throughout the night, which Cameron called “an investment in our students, our community, and our future.” 

“So many of us were shaped by this community that we live in,” Cameron said. “The hope is for these students to come back and make our community better, too.” 

    The Rathdrum community came together over dinner and drinks during the 29th Annual Awards Dinner and Auction Saturday night at the Kootenai Electric Cooperative.
  

    About 200 people attended the 29th Annual Awards Dinner and Auction on Saturday night in Rathdrum.