The Munger family accepted the Business of the Year award onstage at the Hard Rock Live in Wheatland after Munger Family Vineyards was recognized for its community involvement and continued growth in Sutter County on Feb. 13.

YUBA-SUTTER, CA (MPG) – The Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce’s 40th annual Business Appreciation Gala brought Valentine’s Day flair to Hard Rock Live on Friday, Feb. 13, as business leaders, community members and chamber supporters gathered in Wheatland for an evening of celebration and recognition.

Guests dressed in formal attire enjoyed live music from Hip Service while browsing raffle baskets and silent auction items featuring prizes donated by businesses across the Yuba-Sutter region. The highlight of the night, however, was the chamber’s annual awards ceremony honoring individuals and organizations making an impact throughout the community.

The ceremony opened with a rendition of the national anthem by Luke Poppinga, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Senior Master Sgt. William Sluder, a retired Air Force veteran, chamber ambassador and owner of After Hours Mobile Notary. Sluder was also the first honoree of the evening, receiving the Ambassador of the Year award.

Board members and representatives of Tri-Counties Community Center pose after the nonprofit was named the chamber’s Community Champion of the Year for its free and low-cost family programs serving Yuba, Sutter and Butte counties.

“(Sluder’s) reliability isn't occasional, it is consistent,” said Jillian Justice-Childs, a member of the chamber’s board of directors who served as announcer and emcee for the evening. “Several nominations describe (him) as the ultimate ambassador, while another shared that they are simply an all-around giving person, someone who leads by example and helps wherever they are needed.”

Sluder accepted the award, expressing gratitude to the chamber and fellow ambassadors.

“This is, I consider the best chamber in California,” Sluder said. “As a business owner, and I've covered six counties, I've had a chance to visit other chambers, and I'll tell you what, the strength of this community and coming together makes our job as ambassadors easy.”

Next came the Volunteer of the Year award, honoring a community member who generously gives time to improve the lives of others. This year, the chamber received more than 30 nominations, with several individuals recognized multiple times, but the award ultimately went to Rich Webb.

Guests dance to live music from Hip Service during the 40th annual Business Appreciation Gala on Friday, Feb. 13, at Hard Rock Live in Wheatland.

“Since March 2020, this individual has been a dedicated volunteer with Yuba Center Food Bank, generously giving their time at distribution sites, participating in box-building efforts and even delivering meals to homebound seniors during the height of the COVID-19 epidemic,” Justice-Childs said. “In addition to this incredible commitment, they have volunteered weekly with Adventist Health, serving as a visitor escort and helping patients and families navigate the hospital with comfort and confidence during what can often be stressful moments.”

Webb was also credited with serving on the boards of several organizations and using strong relationships with local government and community partners to help advance the work of nonprofits and volunteers throughout the region.

“I'm extremely humbled to even be nominated for this award,” Webb said. “There's so many people out there doing so many good things and so many organizations and nonprofits and businesses that support the community.”

Raffle baskets and silent auction items lined the gala venue as attendees browsed prizes donated by businesses across the Yuba-Sutter region during the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce’s annual celebration at Hard Rock Live in Wheatland.

The Community Champion Award followed, recognizing a Yuba-Sutter business or nonprofit that demonstrates a lasting commitment to supporting and uplifting the community.

“Our community champion award recognizes an organization that truly understands the power of investing in people and the profound difference that investment makes across an entire region,” Justice-Childs said.

Tri-Counties Community Center, a nonprofit serving families throughout Sutter, Yuba and Butte counties, was selected as this year’s Community Champion for its wide range of free and low-cost programs. Offerings include weekly opportunities such as arts and crafts, archery, roller skating, game nights, improv comedy, senior programs and activities designed to promote inclusion and family well-being.

“Their impact is remarkable,” Justice-Childs said. “Since May 2025, they have served 352 families and 619 individuals through food boxes, senior luncheons and community events, while hosting initiatives such as community health fairs, youth financial literacy programs and sensory-friendly experiences to ensure that everyone feels welcome and included.”

Board officers Katrina Inman, Pat Bennett, Harry DeHaan and Peggy DeHaan accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

Tables were set under colorful stage lighting at Hard Rock Live as the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce hosted its 40th annual Business Appreciation Gala on Feb. 13 in Wheatland.

“I definitely wasn't expecting this, but I guess this means we’re doing something right,” Harry DeHaan said.

“We seem to be Yuba-Sutter's best kept secret, but we don’t want to be a secret anymore,” Peggy DeHaan said. “We also have a standing belief that strengthening our families strengthens our community, and that's our main goal.”

Valor Legal Services was named Emerging Business of the Year for its work supporting families and guiding clients who might otherwise go without services. Valor Legal & Family Court Services, a veteran-owned and woman-led business in Yuba City, provides legal document preparation, mediation and family support resources. A representative explained that the name Valor reflects “the strength to stand for what is right, even when it is uncomfortable and hard.”

The evening concluded with one of the most anticipated honors, the Business of the Year Award, recognizing a Yuba-Sutter business with more than three years of service that exemplifies customer care, innovation, growth and community involvement. The award went to Munger Family Vineyards, a family-owned business with deep roots in Sutter County.

“Over the years, this family-owned business has expanded from producing just a handful of wines to offering more than 22 varietals, while opening a beautiful new facility that has quickly become a gathering place for the community through events like cooking classes, paint nights, live music and wine pairings,” Justice-Childs said.

Stacy Munger accepted the award alongside her family.

“We are truly honored to be up here among everyone,” Munger said. “[Our daughter] Sydney was like 8 months old when we planted our first grapes and so they really have grown with our business and you know we hope to pass this along to our kids one day too.”

Following the awards, guests awaited silent auction and raffle results before returning to the dance floor for more late-night music from Hip Service. Next year’s gala is expected to return around the same time in 2027.