Trussville Daybreak Rotary shines at Toast of the Town

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Community

The Trussville Daybreak Rotary Club shined at the annual Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce “Toast of the Town.” The event was hosted at The Reserve in the Trussville Entertainment District on Thursday, Jan. 22.

The Club presented its inaugural Eddie Seal Service Above Self awards to two local first responders. The award was named for longtime rotarian Eddie Seal, who passed away in June. Seal had a passion for first responders, and fellow club members honored his legacy by naming the award for him. Club President Mike Rowe presented these service awards to recipients Lt. Chuck Bradford of the Trussville Police Department and Capt. Billy Jackson of the Trussville Fire and Rescue Department.

Lt. Bradford has served the city of Trussville for more than 40 years, beginning as a dispatcher and reserve officer before building a full-time law enforcement career that included patrol duty and becoming the city’s first school resource officer at the high school. Promoted to lieutenant and division commander in 2022, his leadership expanded to include oversight of support services, communications, school resource officers and alcohol licensing for downtown businesses.

Capt. Jackson has dedicated more than 30 years to the Trussville Fire Department, beginning as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in 1994 before joining the department full time in 1999. Throughout his career, he has served as an instructor, wildland firefighter, water rescue technician and mentor — consistently using his skills to strengthen the department and support fellow firefighters.

Rotarian Fran Aldridge received the Ambassador of the Year award. Aldridge frequently attends and assists with chamber events, generously donates prizes from her business and is always recruiting new members to join the chamber.

Rotarian Sandra Vernon debuted as the chamber’s board president for 2026 at the event. Vernon’s leadership skills and commitment to the community she loves will be a great asset to the chamber this year.

Certainly worthy of mention is the role Rotarian Alan Taylor played as emcee. Taylor is always professional, keeps things moving and adds just the right amount of humor from the microphone. He has served as emcee for many events in the community, as well as having been known as the “Voice of the Huskies” for Hewitt’s athletic events for many years.

Ned and Goldie Paine were tremendous humanitarians in the Trussville community for many years, and several years ago, the long-standing Gatekeeper Award was renamed for the couple. This year’s Ned and Goldie Paine Gatekeeper Award in the group category was presented to the Trussville Daybreak Rotary Club. The Club was recognized for its work with the school system, partnerships with local shelters, ongoing support of first responders and commitment to area businesses, as well as many other areas of service.

This award reflects the heart of Rotary and the dedication of every member who shows up and serves. The Rotary motto is “Service Above Self” and holds to these principles:

  • Is it the truth?
  • Is it fair to all concerned?
  • Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
  • Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

The Trussville Daybreak Rotary Club plays a major role in service to the Trussville community. Looking around, one can see the Rotary Clock at the corner of Chalkville Road and U.S. 11, benches at the walking track at Cahaba Elementary, and solar benches for recharging phones at the library park and the mall, to name a few landmarks. But there are also many things not so easily visible, including scholarships for local students, books for area kindergarteners and volunteerism at area events.

The Club meets every Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. at First Baptist Church Trussville.  

A few other awards were presented at Toast of the Town:

  • Ned and Goldie Paine Gatekeeper Award (individual): Tandi Glenn Smith
  • Prestige Alarm Unsung Hero Award: Chris Bond
  • Trussville Tribune Person of the Year: Bill Roberts
  • Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens Lifetime Achievement Award: Judge Carl Chamblee