By Debbie Carson, Online Editor
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The new Indian River County Chamber of Commerce building will be named for Chamber enthusiast Alma Lee Loy, a longtime member and former president of the business organization.
The announcement was made during the Chamber’s annual Industry Appreciation Awards luncheon where more than 200 attendees gave Loy a standing ovation.
“I was blushing” and then the tears started, she said of how she reacted to the members’ response. She fought the tears, telling herself, “Don’t you dare do that.”
“I’m overwhelmed,” Loy said of receiving the honor.
Loy said the Chamber has been a beacon for business development in the area since the early 1920s.
“I am thrilled to be a part of their success,” she said.
Loy has been a member of the Chamber since 1955, when she opened her business.
“Through her many years of service to Indian River County, Alma Lee has been a staunch supporter of so many county efforts but during that time she never lost sight of the importance of the business community,” Chairman of the Board of Directors Bill Curtis said in a prepared statement. “It is a pleasure for the business community to honor her in this manner.”
Alma Lee has served as the Honorary Chairman of the Chamber’s capital campaign. In 1963 Alma Lee was the first woman to become the president of the Chamber Board of Directors.
“Even in her retirement, Alma Lee has been in the forefront of many county efforts always mindful of the needs of local economy and business community,” Chamber campaign co-chairman Jay Hart said in the statement. “We believe there should be a permanent acknowledgment to her leadership that helped create the county we enjoy today.”
Through Loy’s years of service – in leadership, volunteering and other endeavors – the Chamber created an award in her honor in 1997 called the “Alma Lee Loy Community Service Award.”
“It’s been a real joy,” Loy said of working with and for the Chamber, especially on the special projects.
And though Loy has been an active member of the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce, she has been involved in numerous other civic endeavors, including the Taxpayer’s Association of Indian River County, the Junior Women’s Club and the Business and Professional Women’s Club, among others.
She also has received several awards for her community-related work including the Gifford Youth Activity Center 2007 Dan K. Richardson Humanitarian Award, Ted Brown Award for Volunteer of the Year, and Citizen of the Year Award from the Fraternal Order of Police, to name a couple.
Loy has also served as an Indian River County Olympic Torch Bearer (1996) and the Grand Marshal of the Labor Day Parade (1994).
The Indian River County Chamber of Commerce is a 4-star Accredited Chamber representing the business community by providing services, benefits and leadership for positive economic growth and change. Their new facility is located at 1216 21st Street in Vero Beach, Florida.
For more information about contributing in honor of Alma Lee Loy, please call Emma White at (772) 567-3491 ext. 124.
