Linda Koniar was awarded the Main Street Alabama Hero Award for the Downtown Foley District by Tricia Black, Main Street Alabama assistant state coordinator.

Koniar was presented her award at the Foley Main Street's winter volunteer appreciation reception, held at Copper Kettle Cottage.

The Main Street Hero award recognizes one community leader, public figure or an or an organization who has made an outstanding contribution to the local Main Street organization program. Recipients may be a public or private individual, nonprofit organization, a for-profit business or a government entity.

Koniar has served the community of Foley in a multitude of ways over the years. She has been a great support to her husband, former Foley Mayor John Koniar, over his 40 years of service as a city councilperson, mayor pro tem and mayor. She served as the first lady of Foley for 14 years. The reach of her efforts cannot be measured, the results of her fundraising will be felt for generations, her ability to bring together a community is unbelievable award organizers said.

Koniar has served as the co-chair of the Foley Art in the Park for over 42 years and as a Foley Art Center board member since the 90s. The Art in the Park plays a direct role in promotion - not only shining a spotlight on Downtown Foley, but also bringing 30,000 people to downtown to attend Art in the Park. The event has raised funds to support cultural enrichment in South Baldwin County including the Foley School feeder pattern.

Her work, along with the other board members of the Foley Art Center has helped preserve the historic Claude Pierre building, where the Art Center Gallery resides, and is a daily addition to the downtown retail area.