The Batavia Chamber of Commerce announced that the 2021 Donna Dallesasse Award recipient is Batavia resident Tony Winter, who currently serves as the secretary of Batavia Rotary Club.
Every year, the Batavia Chamber holds a Harvest Celebration to gather community members together to celebrate one Chamber member who has displayed an outstanding commitment and dedication to the Chamber’s mission, vision, and values. This member is recognized as the annual Donna Dallesasse Award recipient.
In his letter of nomination, Dan Hoefler of Batavia Rotary Club and the Batavia Historical Society, touted Tony Winter’s commitment to Batavia and its business community. He explained that Tony’s leadership as Rotary president during the pandemic illustrates why he is deserving of the honor.
“It is without question that Tony embodies the goals and values of the Batavia Chamber and is a tireless supporter of the Batavia business community,” Hoefler wrote. “He encouraged our club to join in the efforts to support the Chamber’s and the City of Batavia’s endeavors to help our local enterprises remain open and keep people employed.”
After his first retirement in 2016 from the technology industry, Tony became a commercial real estate agent with Batavia Chamber member Suburban Real Estate Services, Inc. and actively represented the company as well as the Batavia Rotary at Chamber events.
When he became president of the Batavia Rotary Club, he joined the Chamber’s nonprofit forum to interact with other nonprofits on Rotary’s behalf. His goal was to see how best the Batavia Rotary Club could support them and then in turn invited them to present to the Club, highlighting how they serve the community through Rotary’s help.
Margaret Perreault, president and CEO of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, said that Tony Winter’s outstanding character is evidenced by all he does.
“Tony has shown time and again that he deeply cares about the community of Batavia and its businesses,” said Ms Perreault. “Whenever Tony finds out someone needs something, he jumps in to help find a solution.”
As to Mr. Winter, he was “totally surprised” to learn he was selected for the Donna Dallesasse Award by the Chamber’s Board of Directors. He stated, “I am certainly appreciative, but shocked nonetheless.”
The Batavia resident has been active with the Batavia Chamber along with many other organizations in Batavia. These include the Batavia Rotary Club where he is the secretary following a two-year stint as president. Tony volunteers with the Batavia Historical Society and was previously a scout leader and treasurer with Batavia Boy Scout Troop 12. He was on the Board for the Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence for a short time before work obligations interfered.
Dan Hoefler, in his nomination letter, aptly concluded that “Tony makes a difference in our community. Whenever there is a need to be met, you can be sure that Tony in some way will be there to assist.”
This year marks the 15th year the Chamber has given the Donna Dallesasse Award. We will hand out our Membership Milestone Awards, with seven members receiving the 25-Year Award. We are thankful for their commitment to Batavia and in particular, the Batavia business community that we support. Those receiving the 25-Year Milestone are the Batavia Park District, Batavia Public Library, BMO Harris Bank on Wilson Street, Boyce Body Werks, Immanuel Lutheran Church & School, Interiors for Business, and Professional Water Systems.
Chamber members and the public are invited to join in celebrating the contributions Tony Winter has made to the Chamber, and the greater community and help us honor our milestone awardees at the Harvest Celebration. The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6 at Oscar Swan Country Inn, 1800 W. State Street in Geneva.
The cost of the event is $40 per person and includes food, a drink ticket, and live music. A cash bar will be available. Casual and/or seasonal attire is welcomed. A raffle benefitting the Batavia Chamber Scholarship Fund will take place, too. Registration for this event is required. To guarantee your spot, please call 630-879-7134, or visit www.bataviachamber.org/events to register online promptly.
—Batavia Chamber of Commerce