The Lompoc Rotary Club inducted its newest member, Halle Bedford Dyer, on Wednesday, September 14th 2022, making her the 3rd generation from the same family to be in the club, simultaneously. She follows in the footsteps of both her mother and her paternal grandfather, joining the club to become active in the Lompoc community.
Halle’s grandfather, George Bedford, is a long time Lompoc business owner and philanthropist. He has co-owned Sunset Auto Center since 1988 and has devoted his life and energy to advancing the culture, sports, and non-profit entities of Lompoc. He served as Mayor of Lompoc, was on the City Council, was the President of the Lompoc Chamber of Commerce, has been active in Lompoc Elks Lodge and SB County Cattlemen’s Association and has made several large donations to many local entities such as: Youth Sports, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Meals on Wheels, Boy Scouts, DARE program, Police & Fire Departments, amongst many others. In 1994, Bedford was elected Lompoc Man of the Year and in 2007 he was awarded by the Lompoc City Council with a tree in Recognition Grove at Beattie Park. Bedford has been a member of Rotary since 1983.
Halle’s mother, Heather Hudson Bedford, a Lompoc native, has been helping in the community most of her life. “I grew up with parents who volunteered at church, in the community and at our schools, so giving back to the community is something that is ingrained in my being,” she reported. “Every year we had so much fun working as a family at Brushes & Blues and Lompoc Valley Marathon (eventually the half marathon and most recently, The Hank Hudson Sprint Triathlon, named after her father), that I swore that I would instill the same values in my children. Community service is so important and its exciting to see the rewards of your efforts.”
She has been on several board of directors for non-profits over the years, both in Lompoc Valley and Santa Ynez Valley, where she travels back and forth to each as she co-owns Inklings Printing Company with an office in each location. In 2010 she received the “Super Star” award from the Solvang Chamber of Commerce, and in 2014 she received the “Volunteer of the Year Award” from the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce. Bedford currently serves as President of The Rotary Club of Lompoc (a member since 2019), the Vice-President of the Rancho Purisima Chapter of the National Daughters of the American Revolution and is a Director on the board of The Lompoc Theatre Project. In 2020 she started another local business, The Lompoc Company, which specializes in all things Lompoc: stationery with local photography, olive oils and vinegars, seasoning blends, flower seed packets, and assorted merchandise with The Lompoc Company logo on them.
Halle Bedford Dyer, Rotary Club of Lompoc’s newest member, is the recipient of this year’s Lompoc Valley Small Business of the Year Award. She is the owner of South Side Coffee Company in old town and loves to be a part of the community. “I just love my customers and all of the people who come into the café from the local non-profits. I see my company as a bridge to help people plan meetings, gather and do good things for Lompoc. I’m very fortunate to be able to help and I’m happy to do what I can,” she said. Dyer has made several donations to the North County Rape Crisis Center, the local sports teams, LHS Special Education field trips, has helped with many local funerals and has worked with The Food Pantry.
Dyer has been a member of The Rancho Purisima Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, a board member of the Development Committee for Family Service Agency and is exciting to start her relationship with Rotary. “Rotary is a great fit for me and I’m eager to get to work on some of our local projects as well as help with the international ones. I’m ready!”
The Rotary Club of Lompoc is a is a humanitarian organization which brings together business and professional leaders in order to provide community service, promote integrity, and advance goodwill, peace, and understanding in the world. It is a non-political and non-religious organization and the members are dedicated people who share a passion for both service and friendship. The club has made donations in the past several years to The Bridge House, Huyck Stadium, The Lompoc Hospital Foundation, Lompoc Theatre Project, as well as many others.
To become a member, visit their website: LompocRotary.com
Photo contributed by permission. Pictured left to right: George Bedford, Halle Bedford, Heather Bedford