By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Column

The South Shelby Chamber of Commerce is led by Executive Director Stacy Walkup and President Brenda Frias of Alabama Power.

However, these leaders are supported by a group of volunteers who are the Chamber’s faces, hands and feet in our community — its ambassadors.

The ambassadors provide a crucial link between the Chamber and the South Shelby community, hosting at Chamber functions, attending ribbon cuttings of new businesses, helping recruit new members and volunteering at fundraising events.

At the Diamond Awards Banquet, the Chamber awards the Ambassador of the Year, a volunteer who goes above and beyond to help support the Chamber. The first Ambassador of the Year went to the late Sonya Lefkovits in 2006.  Annette Tyler of the Town of Westover was Ambassador of the Year in 2007, Mary Fogo of Chelsea Chiropractic in 2008, Casey Morris of Ekklesia Coffee House in 2009 and Miranda Carter of Johnny Ray’s BBQ in Chelsea in 2010.

“I love giving back to my community,” Carter said. “I try to support the Chamber in any way I can.  I was so honored to be chosen Ambassador of the Year.  It was nice to be recognized for the help I gave.”

Current  ambassadors are: Morris; Dawn Carden, First United Security Bank; Chuck and Carla Watkins, New Leaf Design; Laurie Edwards, Donna Gannon and Carl Orso, M&F Bank; Bonnie Atchison, Geo. Washington Museum; Kelly Burley, Main Street Florist; Davie Edwards, Paul’s BP; Mary Dunnaway, Sarah Richards and Judy Freeman, Down South Realty; Fogo; Peg Hill; Penny Hall, Town of Harpersville; Linda Pierce, Frontier Bank; Linda Giddens, Friends of the Library; Maggie Glass, Chelsea Eye Care; Je Anne Smith, Smith Chiropractic; Bobby Jo Seales, Shelby County Museum; Charles and Mary Brammer, Morgan Creek Vineyards; Annette Tyler, Town of Westover; Mylana Motes, Minuteman Press; Amanda Smith, Cahaba Valley Computer Services; Karen Stamps, Wilsonville Civitan; Jessica Hardin, Shelby County Reporter; Sharon Ogle, Regions Bank; Rux Bentley, Rux Bentley Insurance;  Diane Thomas, Post Net; Mary Strehle, Victory GMC; Dr Stancil and Ann Handley; Marvin Copes, Shelby County RSVP;  Byran Morrow, Alabama Telco Credit Union; Gladys Beasley, Bryant Bank; Linda Malone, L’s Treasures; Christal Hill, Ruby Slippers In-Home Care, Inc.; Kaye Alvarez, The Tax Lady; David Preyear; Fay Porter; Scott Treadway, Deal Pickles; Karen Rickerson, Candlewood Suites; Freda York, Realty South;  Melyssa Boggan, Snider’s Discount Pharmacy; and Carter.

For information on joining the SSC Ambassadors, call Walkup at 669-9075 or soshelby@bellsouth.net.

Phoebe Donald Robinson can be reached by e-mail at phoeberobinson@bellsouth.net.