No one will ever contradict the idea that 2020 was a tough year, for everyone! That said, challenges and obstacles often prove the character and strengths of a team, institution and person – so those chosen as the Best of Fremont for 2020 really had to demonstrate the highest values and a deep dedication to living them, in tough circumstances. Thank you to all those who took the time to vote, and to acknowledge the great work of so many in a year fraught with so many difficulties.
The Fremocentrist readers and Fremonsters from all over voted overwhelmingly for Balance Studio for Best Business 2020. This dance studio is one of many venues shut-down for the majority of the year in order to protect everyone from transmission of the coronavirus. Facing the closure, Balance Studio shifted its direction and transformed itself into a video studio, providing instructors with a clean, empty space from which they could teach classes on-line for students looking for a way to safely engage and exercise in quarantine.
“I’d like to vote for Balance Studio… THEY ARE AWESOME and have made the pandemic more bareable for so many, spreading positivity and a sense of community despite the challenges of doing so.” – Claire P.
The owners of Balance Studio also operate Bahia In Motion, one of the dance schools that operates at Balance. Aileen Panke and Daniel Nery Dos Santos Filho have converted their classes, mostly the ones for adults, into on-line workouts and practice.
“They brought us together, virtually, through out the pandemic with dance and Capoeira classes. They kept us moving and helped us hold on to a sense of community.” – Cami A.
While many organizations and businesses received votes for their amazing work on behalf of many, Bahia In Motion, and Daniel & Aileen, received more votes, by a wide margin, from their students and surrounding community, for Best Morale Builder – a one-time only category intended to thank Aileen & Daniel for staying positive in a time of great darkness. They did well – their students were effusive in their praise:
“Please cast my vote… I’ve been taking their on-line Zumba class several times a week since March. Daniel and Aileen are always upbeat, empathetic and entertaining – and their classes are a good workout! They’ve really made an effort to make their classes accessible to folks who have taken a financial hit over the past 9 months, by offering a sliding scale for classes…” – Marcia S.
For Best Citizen, Lara McIntosh of Wassa Dance won based on the numbers of votes she received for Best Business, Best Morale Builder and Best Citizen. As with Balance and Bahia, Wassa Dance kept its students dancing and connected during dark times, building community and cheer in spite of profound challenges.
“With quarantining and social distancing, it’s such a gift to be able to see my friends in these classes and get a terrific workout at the same time.” – Sherry H. about Bahia In Motion
Finally, there were fewer votes in the category of Best Non-Profit but the standout was a long-time charitable organization, InterConnection. This 501(c)3 makes information and communication technology accessible to under-served communities around the world. Right here in Fremont, InterConnection refurbishes donated and discarded computers and laptops, and makes them available to qualified low-income individuals and non-profits. InterConnection is certified in recycling materials that most would consider obsolete, and making them useful, to bridge the technological chasm that can prevent those of low-income from being able to raise themselves, and their families, up.
THANK YOU to all our winners, and all of those who garnered votes! Tough times can bring out the best in the best of us, and these people and organizations really showcased that much can be accomplished – even in a year of pandemic, economic tragedy and political upheaval! THANK YOU ALL!!