Compiled by members of the Trussville Daybreak Rotary Club, For the Tribune
TRUSSVILLE – Rotary International (RI) is a global network of 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders and whose motto is ‘Service above Self.’ The Trussville Daybreak Rotary Club lives out this motto by serving the community in many ways and has been doing so for over 30 years. You might say it is a “membership-based service organization.” The Club is planning a celebration for its birthday in May. Among those expected to attend is Past Rotary International President Mark Maloney from Decatur.
Charter. The Trussville Daybreak Rotary Club was chartered on May 18, 1990, in Birmingham, AL, at Medical Center East as the Trussville/East Birmingham (Daybreak) Rotary Club with twenty-three members. The parent/sponsoring club was Birmingham East Rotary Club (now the Trussville Noon Rotary Club). Meetings were held at Medical Center East (now St. Vincent’s East) at 7 a.m.
Charter Members. Charter members included Kenneth Apperson, Bob Baker, Ron Duke, Joe Elland, Rayford Etherton, Gene Fitzgerald, Don Haisten, Tom Hales, George Harris, Dennis Hill, David Holcomb, Robert Holley, Van Horne*, Owen Lawless, Roy Long, Guy Martin, Dave Smith, Rich Street, Darrell Summers, Steve Turner, Hale Vick, Steve Waller, and David Wideman.
In addition, these members joined during first year of operation (shown by date of admission): Wesley Teague (7/1/90), Martin Woosley (8/1/90), David Cork* (9/1/90), Timothy Gilbert (9/1/90), John Payne (9/1/90), James Anthony (11/1/90), William Ramage (11/1/90), Steven Bookout (12/1/90), Gordon Flynn (12/1/90), William Hyatt (12/1/90), Wesley O’Brien (12/90), David Crawford (5/1/91), and Jimmy Burns* (5/1/91). (* denotes current members)
Highlights in History:
June 2, 2008. This club is one of about 50 in the central Alabama district. Club member Mary Jean Sanspree was installed as District 6860 Governor. District Governor Phil Fowler and his wife Diane visited the club. Mary Jean was also the first female president of the club (1998-99). Women were not always allowed to be members of Rotary. The 1989 Council on Legislation voted to admit women into Rotary clubs worldwide, a monumental moment in the history of Rotary. Today almost 25% of this club is female.
July 9, 2008. The Club is 100% Paul Harris Fellows, which means every member of the Club contributes to the Paul Harris Foundation. Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary in February 1905. The Foundation provides grant opportunities for local clubs, so contributions come back to the club for community projects.
July 1, 2014. Club name officially changed to Rotary Club of Trussville Daybreak.
2020-21. The Club did not stop meeting during the pandemic. The format just moved to a virtual one until they felt it was safe to meet in person. And when most clubs saw a decrease in membership, this club membership grew!
2023. The Club completed its first strategic plan to help determine its future over the next five years. Spearheaded by Eddie Seal, the club worked for several months to determine goals, projects, and also to update its bylaws.
Club Presidents. These Rotarians have served as club presidents.
May – June 1990 Owen Lawless
1990 – 1991 Owen Lawless
1992 – 1993 David Wideman
1993 – 1994 Van Horne
1994 – 1995 Martin Woosley
1995 – 1996 Darrell Summers
1996 – 1997 Kenny Apperson
1997 – 1998 Roy Long
1998 – 1999 Mary Jean Sanspree
1999 – 2000 Bob Baker
2000 – 2001 Jimmy Burns
2001 – 2002 Mark Denard
2002 – 2003 Tim Cartwright
2003 – 2004 Gordon Flynn
2004 – 2005 David Cork
2005 – 2006 John Pettry
2006 – 2007 Matt Holdbrooks
2007 – 2008 Jef Freeman
2008 – 2009 Linda Burns
2009 – 2010 Pat McTamney
2010 – 2011 Pat McTamney
2011 – 2012 John Griscom
2012 – 2013 John Patterson
2013 – 2014 Alan Taylor
2014 – 2015 Danny Cooner
2015 – 2016 Eddie Seal
2016 – 2017 Tommy Trimm
2017 – 2018 Diane Poole
2018 – 2019 Sandra Vernon
2019 – 2020 Ken Vaughan
2020 – 2021 Ty Williams
2021 – 2022 Greg Carroll
2022 – 2023 Jamie Townes
Projects. The Club has had many projects and fundraising events over its 33-year history. One of its first fundraisers was a golf tournament, which was initially a partnership with the Trussville Noon Rotary Club. Last year was the Club’s 30th annual golf tournament, and it raised about $15K.
The Club recently sponsored a new club in the Springville area which meets on Thursday mornings at 7 a.m. and has members from Springville, Argo, Moody, and Margaret. This Club continues to grow and to serve these area communities in its own ways.
Other ways the Trussville Daybreak Rotary Club contributes to our community:
- City Fest (volunteer to sell Coke products, members of Rotary on the planning committee)
- Veterans Appreciation (hanging ribbons at city hall for Veterans’ Day)
- Computers 4 Kids (collected laptops and had them cleaned for school purposes and distributed to the schools at the beginning of the pandemic for kids who did not have them)
- Scholarships (Our Rotary Club gives out one $5,000 scholarship to a Hewitt-Trussville Student every year, as well as a $1000 scholarship to a Restoration Academy Student).
- Rotary Young Leaders Awards (R.Y.L.A.) (Our Rotary club sends, on average, eleven students a year to The Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville for a 3-day retreat to learn about leadership and community service, to make connections, and to have a little fun. These students write essays and apply for this every year. Trussville Daybreak generally boasts the largest number of participants.)
- Student and Teacher of the Month (Every month during the school year, our Rotary Club recognizes students and teachers from either Hewitt-Trussville or Clay-Chalkville for their outstanding performance.)
- Rotary Readers (Rotarians go into the local elementary schools on Wednesdays to read to the children. We also participate in Read Across America on Dr. Seuss’ birthday where we purchase and distribute a Dr. Seuss book of the teacher’s choice to the students.)
- Rotary Clock (Our Rotary raised funds for the Rotary Clock that is located at the corner of Hwy 11 and Chalkville Road to anchor the corner and make it more picturesque.)
- Solar Benches (Our Rotary Club applies for grants with Rotary International in order to finance projects in our community. We have placed solar powered benches in the park on the mall and in the park behind the library so that people can charge their devices while sitting at the park.)
- Leadership HT (This year we have used our grant to help fund a project for this group. They plan to construct an outdoor classroom/seating area in Veterans’ Park along the stream.)
- Better Basics Book Nooks (had book nooks built in cooperation with Faith Community Church to put in various communities throughout Jefferson and St. Clair Counties in communities with lower reading and math scores to help increase literacy. These nooks are continually replenished by Better Basics.)
- Alabama Fallen Warriors Memorial (major donor to the Alabama Fallen Warriors memorial being built in Veterans Park in Trussville)
- Smile-A-Mile (meals for campers, their families, and staff)
- Playground equipment at The Mall
- Benches at the walking track at Cahaba Elementary
- Financial support to Trussville Noon Club’s water project in Mexico
- Planted trees at Cahaba Greenway
Various other sponsorships/service projects include:
- Major sponsor of Boiling ‘n Bragging, a collegiate-themed district-wide fundraising event to benefit the Critical Care Transport Team at Children’s of Alabama
- planting at the Senior Center
- sponsorship of the Art Walk at City Fest
- sponsorship of a table at the Trussville City School Foundation Paws for a Cause Gala
- donation of toys to the Trussville Fire and Rescue Toy Drive
- donation of supplies and funds to various shelters
- donation to the YMCA Annual campaign that allows them to give scholarships to their programs
- packing “Snack Bags” for the students at Restoration Academy
- donation to Wreaths Across America
- donation to The Will Bright Foundation, and
- the donation of historical marker on Parkway Drive.
This Trussville Daybreak Rotary Club has made a tremendous impact on this community and will undoubtedly continue for years to come. These Rotarians live by the RI 4-way test: 1) Is it the truth? 2) Is it fair to all concerned? 3) Will it building good will and better friendships? And 4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all lived by the Rotary 4-way test?
The Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club meets at 7 a.m. on Wednesday mornings at First Baptist Church Trussville (128 N. Chalkville Road). For more information on the Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club, or to help with one of our projects, please email Diane Poole at dlpoole1225@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page (Trussville Rotary Daybreak).