0316 Alabaster Newsletter-WEB

Around Town
Driving Mr. and
Ms. Alabaster Senior
Jim Daw
Citizen Spotlight
Jim Daw, with the Alabaster Parks and Rec, was
busy in his makeshift workshop, the old YMCA, making
an old timey chalkboard for a future presentation
at City Hall. “I told them that as long as it is standing,
I might was well use it,” he matter-of-factly shared.
He has used the improvised shop to create new bookshelves
for the Senior Center, other bits of furniture,
and just about anything else that they ask him to
make. His stock answer to such requests, he humbly
said, is, “I suppose I can try.” It is this servant-heart
attitude, and willingness to try, that has drawn Daw
so many admirers.
Daw moved to Alabaster 22 years ago. “I got married
to a girl from down here. Ensley is where I was
raised up at,” he recalled. He started his career with
Alabaster about seven and half years ago. Daw is famous
for his giving spirit and playful personality, and
the other guys in the department call him Pawpaw.
It was his willingness to try something new that really
set him apart though. “They asked me if I would
be interested in driving the bus for the seniors and I
“It is a lot of fun. I enjoy
it a lot. They all cut up
with me. I’m just one of
the gang.”
-Jim Daw
told them, ‘Yeah I would be interested.’ So I got my
Commercial Driver License (CDL) close to three
years ago,” he explained.
That decision has made quite a difference. “It is a
lot of fun. I enjoy it a lot. They all cut up with me. I’m
just one of the gang,” he shared with a smile. He has
taken the seniors on dozens of trips all over the state
Jim Daw standing in front of one of the buses he regularly
drives for the Alabaster Senior Center.
and into Tennessee and Georgia. “We have gone to Loretta
Lynn Ranch, in Tennessee, and Wheeler Park. They go on flea
market trips, visit antique stores, and other day outings. Then
the senior’s gardening club goes on their trips like to Auburn
or local gardening shops,” he rattled off. “Next month we go
to Mobile, and that is an overnight trip.”
Before Daw started driving, there was only one other driver
for the larger bus, which meant there was less help for the seniors
as they would make their trips. “When we get to where
we are going, I help the seniors get on and off the bus. Then I
get out and follow behind the group, kind of bringing up the
rear. If one of the seniors get tired, I sit with them on a bench
while the rest go ahead. Or I might help some of them get
up the stairs. Just whatever I need to do to lend a hand,” Daw
shared.
The Alabaster Senior Center seniors enjoy the trips almost
as much as Daw does. “Oh you should see them! They get
here early - I don’t care if it is raining or cold - and then they
get in a line. They want to be the first one on the bus, to sit in
the front. Usually we have a full bus: 18-20 people. We will
probably fill up the new 33 seat bus too. There are a lot of
people that don’t go because we don’t have the room,” explained
Daw.
Before joining the City he worked for Alabama Power
reading meters, and before that he owned his own painting
company for 25 years. When he is not working, he loves
hanging out with his grandchildren. “When they come over
they come right in and see me because they know I’ll have
some candy for them,” he shared with a laugh. He enjoys
hunting and golfing, although he’s done both less frequently
over the past few years.
When asked when Daw will retire, he said with a laugh,
“My wife won’t let me until she does first.” But you get the
sense that with Daw he would retire not to play more golf or
to relax, but to free up more time to lend a hand. “I just say if
you need [it] and I can do it, I’ll do it,” Daw remarked with a
shrug.
22 cityofalabaster.com