Remembering Louise Loyd: HVAF’s “Sock Lady” and Founding Spirit
Today, HVAF mourns the loss of one of our founders, Louise Loyd. It is impossible to summarize in a few sentences the impact Louise made on veterans in Indianapolis, especially veterans facing homelessness.
HVAF is mourning the loss of one of its founders, Louise Loyd, a woman whose decades of quiet generosity shaped the organization from its earliest days.
Louise’s story with HVAF began in 1993, when the organization was still known as a Far From Home Chapter. As one of its founding members, she helped drive the completion of Indianapolis’ first transitional housing project for veterans. That single achievement set HVAF on a path it continues to walk today: ending veteran homelessness through housing, hope, and self-sufficiency.
To most who knew her, Louise wasn’t just a founder or board member. She was “The Sock Lady.”
For more than three decades, Louise collected and distributed socks to veterans across Indianapolis, turning a simple act of kindness into a lasting tradition. Her booth at HVAF’s annual Stand Down event became a fixture that veterans looked forward to, marked by her unmistakable “Sock Lady” sign.
Louise’s commitment to veterans extended well beyond HVAF’s walls. As an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary, she led fundraising efforts to support HVAF’s food pantry, helping ensure veterans and their families had access to basic necessities. She also hosted an annual Thanksgiving lunch for veterans living in HVAF housing, giving them a sense of community and belonging during the holidays.
These contributions reflect who Louise was at her core: someone who showed up, year after year, for people who needed her most.
Her dedication as a long-time board member and volunteer fundraiser helped shape HVAF’s mission and sustain its growth for over thirty years.
HVAF is forever grateful for her service, her heart, and the example she set for everyone who continues this mission in her name.
