Coastal Alabama's Island Spirit runs deep

Staff Report
Posted 6/22/22

Each month, the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber traverses the area with a well-traveled plaque, flowers and a cash prize with the sole purpose of surprising a deserving individual.The plaque reads: …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Subscribe to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Get the gift of local news. All subscriptions 50% off for a limited time!

You can cancel anytime.
 

Please log in to continue

Log in

Coastal Alabama's Island Spirit runs deep

Posted

Each month, the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber traverses the area with a well-traveled plaque, flowers and a cash prize with the sole purpose of surprising a deserving individual.

The plaque reads: "Although Mother Nature has generously bestowed upon us our beautiful beaches, land and bodies of water; we are convinced what distinguishes the Alabama Gulf Coast is its people."

Since the mid-1980s, the Island Spirit Award has celebrated non-management workers in Coastal Alabama who go above and beyond by showing hospitality to those they serve. A committee of 20 locals meet monthly to review nominations and choose a winner.

The winners are surprised with a pop-in celebration during the workday and are presented a copy of their nomination letter, a personal plaque to keep, the perpetual plaque (which has been in use since the award's founding) that visits each winner's place of business and $100.

The Island Spirit Award winners for the first quarter of 2022 are:

January: Lacie Roever with the Orange Beach Public Works Department. Roever's nomination letter mentioned, "Lacie is the nicest and strongest person I know. Always a smile on her face, she exemplifies the kindness and generosity of the community. When people visit our wonderful location and say how nice the locals are it is because of people like Lacie who go beyond what is expected."

February: Destiny Brown, local musician and cashier at The Pantry in Orange Beach. Brown's nomination letter said, "Destiny is a go-getter. Not only does she perform great live music around Baldwin County, she's also a great host at The Pantry. I love coming in for breakfast and seeing Destiny's smiling face. She is very friendly, conversational and is always on hand to provide great recommendations of products in the store."

March: Cade Alexander, barista at Happy Pappys Coffeehouse in Gulf Shores. Alexander's nomination letter mentioned, "Cade is an exemplary employee with a bright personality. I witness his positivity with every customer that walks through the door. You would never know that Cade was having a bad day because he is always a bright light."

April: Dusty Sanford, bartender at Papa Rocco's Pizza in Gulf Shores. Sanford's nomination letter said, "Dusty is hard working, dedicated and humorous. When Dusty is working, you know you're going to have a great time."

Nominations are encouraged year-round with two easy ways to send in a nomination. Visit mygulfcoastchamber.com to fill out an online form or stop by the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber offices in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach for a paper application.