Karen Craft honored for cheerful service at patriotic Viera community    

Karen Craft works in the At Ease Club at Indian River Colony Club. Craft has been named the 2020 Employee of the Year by the 55+ Viera golf community for military veterans. photo courtesy indian river colony club.

(VIERA, FL) December 14, 2020 –  Karen Craft has been named the 2020 Employee of the Year for Indian River Colony Club, the Viera 55+ golf community for military veterans. Nominated by Club Manager Thomas Shonkwiler, Ms. Craft was recognized on December 1 during the community’s annual membership meeting and presented with a $250 monetary award. The nominating statement for the 7-year employee read, in part, “Karen’s dedication to exceptional service for the membership community is evident in all she does. Prior to the pandemic, Karen was continuously requested by members for her gracious ‘service with a smile’ in the dining rooms. When the At Ease Club restaurant retooled to takeout-only during the covid-19 crisis, Karen spent many days out front of the clubhouse, working the lengthy lines with hundreds of food orders that were staged for car and golf cart pickup. She often did this in excessive heat, humidity and rain. Karen never once complained and always maintained a cheerful attitude toward members and colleagues.”

Club Manager Thomas Shonkwiler manages all of the kitchen, wait and bar staff at IRCC and is Ms. Craft’s supervisor.

“Karen’s dedication to serving the membership and her great positive attitude led us to select her as the Employee of the Year. It speaks volumes that she is universally admired by her coworkers.”

Indian River Colony Club Employee of the Year for 2020, Karen Craft created hand-drawn artwork and creative messages for thank you cards included in member take-out food orders. photo by thomas shonkwiler.

All 94 full-time employees of Indian River Colony Club are eligible for the annual award. Department managers each nominate an exceptional member of their team and then cast votes for the most exemplary employee. The Employee of the Year award is sponsored by the not-for-profit Indian River Colony Club Foundation.

Viera’s very first neighborhood, Indian River Colony Club is known as “The Place Patriots Call Home.”  A haven for military retirees, the par-72 private golf course community has a patriotic culture and country club amenities for active adults aged 55 and over. For more information about Indian River Colony Club, call 321-255-6000, visit their website at ColonyClub.com or like their Facebook page.

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About Indian River Colony Club –  The very first neighborhood built in Viera, Florida, Indian River Colony Club was originally conceived as a retirement destination for military retirees. IRCC began to take shape in 1986, its vision to create a private country club-like environment for members.  Membership has now expanded to include non-military personnel who want the energetic, patriotic lifestyle cultivated by three decades of members. Still predominantly a haven for military veterans, IRCC maintains a culture centered on service to others. IRCC is a gated golf course community of nearly 800 homes on 453 acres in Viera, owned entirely by its membership. “The Place Patriots Call Home” enjoys 24-hour gated security, a generous maintenance package and a full complement of newly renovated and 100% debt-free country club amenities for active adults aged 55 and over, including an 18-hole, par-72 private golf course designed by acclaimed Florida golf course architect, Gordon G. Lewis.  The patriotic neighborhood was named one of the 2018 Top 20 Golf Communities in North America by Golf Course Home Network and in 2020 was recognized by TopRetirements.com as one of the 10 Best Golf Cart Communities in America. For more information about Indian River Colony Club, call 321-255-6000 or visit their website at ColonyClub.com.