Retail Council of Canada (RCC) announced today that independent Alberta retailer, Stasia Nawrocki of Dansk Gifts, will be honoured with the Visa Ambassador Award at the upcoming STORE Conference on June 5-6 in Toronto. Ms. Nawrocki is being recognized for her contribution to her community and to the retail industry in general.

"Ms. Nawrocki is a role model not only to other retailers, but to the overall business community in Canada," says Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada. "It's amazing what an independent store owner can do and the impact they can have on their community through their charitable efforts. Stasia represents just one of thousands of small and mid-size store owners across the country who dedicates themselves to raising funds for much-needed charitable organizations. RCC is thrilled to present this award to Ms. Nawrocki to recognize her important role as an ambassador in her community."

"I am delighted to have been nominated for the Visa Ambassador Award and thrilled that I was chosen to receive it. I am honoured because there are so many small business owners who do so much for charity," says Stasia Nawrocki, Owner, Dansk Gifts. "I wish to thank Retail Council of Canada for honouring me with this award and I humbly accept it on behalf of all small and mid-size retailers in Canada because they are all equally deserving."

"Ms. Nawrocki is exactly the sort of inspiring retailer Visa had in mind when this award was conceived," says Frank Van Nie, Vice President Relationship Management, Visa Canada Association. "Her energy, drive and contribution to her community are inspiring, and her efforts showcase not only excellence in retailing, but great heart. Visa congratulates Ms. Nawrocki, and we're very excited to be able to recognize her efforts through this award."

Since its opening in 1976, Dansk Gifts has been known throughout Edmonton for selling everything a customer could want - from giftware, home décor and tablescapes to jewellery and kitchen items. Ms. Nawrocki is celebrating 30 years in business this year. While Dansk Gifts is a fixture on the Edmonton retail scene, Ms. Nawrocki is being honoured with the VISA Ambassador Award because of her long-standing commitment to her community.

Ms. Nawrocki has been a supporter of many charitable organizations over the years, however this year, she decided to raise funds for the Stollery Children's Hospital, Western Canada's referral centre for pediatric cardiac surgery and a national leader in organ transplantation, located in Edmonton, Alberta. Ms. Nawrocki is selling raffle tickets where people can have the chance to win pre-decorated tables and creative centerpieces, with all funds going to help the Stollery Children's Hospital. She is also publishing a decorating book with a portion of the proceeds going towards the Hospital. The target this year is to raise $30,000 in conjunction with Dansk Gifts' 30th anniversary - they are almost halfway to achieving that goal.

The Visa Ambassador Award will be presented to Ms. Nawrocki on behalf of the retail industry at a gala dinner on Monday, June 5, 2006. The dinner, part of STORE 2006 - Canada's Retail Conference, will take place at the Toronto Congress Centre at 6:30 p.m.

For more information about STORE 2006, Canada's Retail Conference, log onto www.STOREconference.org.

Retail Council of Canada (www.retailcouncil.org) is the Voice of Retail. It is a not-for-profit association representing more than 40,000 stores of all retail formats, including independent merchants, regional and national mass and specialty chains, and online merchants

For further information: Stephanie Petroff, Manager, National Public Affairs, (416) 922-0553, ext. 228, e-mail spetroff@retailcouncil.org

Source: newswire