Some semblance of my acceptance speech:

I have a little speech on my iPhone! Wow. I just did not expect to win. Thank you!

I'm Michelle Porter, the Executive Director of Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission. On behalf of the board and 21 staff of Souls Hatbour Rescue Mission I thank you so much for honouring us with this award for best New Business Venture.

2 years ago, Souls Harbour merged with Regina RESCUE Mission to form the Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission. Together we have a full continuum of care--serving 100,000 meals a year, and providing 100 needy men, women and children with a warm safe bed each night. We also have a long term addictions recovery program and are opening a daycare and youth centre in the old St. Andrews church on Dewdney Avenue.

Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission must run efficiently and maintain the best business practices to make all this happen! We are thankful for the 17,000 homes, churches and businesses that partner with us to raise over 1.4 million dollars per year.

I would like to thank our nominator, my friend Myrns Harvey-Opper. She is a woman who herself was helped by the Mission, and is alumni from our one year LifeChange Program. Myrna, I am honoured to have you by my side tonikght.

Thank you again to the Chamber for this prestigous award.