Committees, Commissions and Boards
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The volunteer spirit runs deep in the City of Clay. For over a century, Clay had no city government, so they pulled together informally and through churches to make improvements to their community and help their neighbors in need.
One of the big accomplishments was the previous little league park next to Clay Elementary. Because young athletes needed their own ballfields, Clay residents built one with sweat and donations.
Before that, Clay residents pulled together to build a community center, which has since been replaced.
More recently, Clay residents volunteered their time and energy to organize and incorporate the community into a city. After years and multiple tries, the City of Clay was formed in June 2000. Even today, most of the city's committees and commissions are made up of volunteers willing to give time for meetings and research to make sure the city will continue to be the best it can be. These individuals are leaving a legacy of a pleasant lifestyle for future Clay residents.
Clean-up days, such as the one organized in spring 2009, has shown a big turnout with church members, high school students, older ones and others helping to pick up trash along roads and other public places.
Parents donate their time and energy in service to booster clubs and little league athletics. Little league athletics would not be possible without the tireless efforts of these parents.
A newly-formed group of volunteers is the Friends of Library. These individuals donate their time and resources at the new Clay Library. Stop by the library and meet them.
The city also wants more to join in experiencing the happiness of giving by donating their time to help their fellow residents any any form they see.
Others have benefited from Clay residents willing to serve their fellow man.
Military Service
Many Clay residents have been willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. The city government is proud to bring attention to these young men and women who showed such patriotism.
War on Terrorism
Aaron Byars
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Adam Byers |
Johnny Cates |
Bobby Chestnut |
Fredrick Combs |
| Taylor Conradi |
Jason Fox |
James Hicks, Jr. |
Rob Hicks |
Chaz King |
| Ben Manzano |
Blake Pollard |
Mike Rodda |
Andrew Rumford |
Danny Sanders |
| Oscar Saint |
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Persian Gulf War
| Bobby Chestnut |
Fredrick Combs |
Bo Johnson |
Marc Strickland |
Norma Walden |
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Vietnam War
| James Amos |
Mike Booth |
Don Bryan |
Bobby Christmas |
John Cook |
| Billy Cunningham |
Larry Hays |
Ed McGuffie |
Jim McKee |
John Tow |
| Garret "Buddy" Williams |
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Korean War
| Charles Agnew |
Don Bryan |
Joe Culwell
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Herb Nail
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World War II
| Spencer Ames |
Clarence Adkins |
Bill Aldridge |
Woodrow Blythe |
Howard Brickner |
| Leroy Chamblee |
Ralph Clayton |
Bernard Crawford |
J. Arnold Crawford |
Clarence Everett |
| Emmett Goodwin |
Garland Gray |
Bertis Hathcock |
Herbert Hathcock |
William "Speck" Hewlett |
| Donald Hicks |
Vernon Hicks |
Frank Howell |
Duke Ladd |
James Landmon |
| Ance Lee "Slue" Layfield |
Claude Layfield |
Clifton Layfield |
James "Red" Layfield |
W.D. Layfield |
| Frank Loggins |
A.P. Mobley-
killed in action |
Cecil Mobley |
Ralph Mobley-
killed in action |
Andrew Sargent |
| Hartford Self |
"Peck" Self |
R.P. Self |
Burnis Simmons |
M. Odell Simmons |
| W. Lester Simmons |
Dewey Taylor |
J.D. Taylor |
Clifford Tucker |
Gorden Ware |
| Hap Ware |
Harry Ware |
"Mish" Ware |
Wilfred Ware |
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World War I
| Edgar Self |
Fred Self |
Hubert Clayton |
Price Clayton |
Vince Self |
| Claude Tucker |
Grant Tucker |
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Civil War
| Charles Faust |
Bud Freeman |
Tim Freeman |
Elisha Self |
William Self |
| Wiley Spruill |
Jesse Taylor |
Thorney Taylor |
William Taylor |
Andrew Wear |
| David Wear |
H.B. Wear |
Henderson Wear |
David Wear |
Nelson Wear |
Seminole Wars
War of 1812
Revolutionary War
Peacetime Service
| Mike Bagby |
Jed Dailey |
Randy Dotson |
Burgin Layfield |
Robert Morgan |
| Jeff Oden |
Steve Owens |
Marty Robbins |
Kevin Smith |
Kelly Tatum |
| Bobby Pyle |
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Non-profit Organizations
Another way people in Clay serve their community is through the many non-profit organizations in the city:
Hummer / Bird Study Group- Retirement did not stop Bob Sargent's curiosity. He took an interest in hummingbirds, only to discover that what he read about them did not match what he was observing at his Clay home. So the Hummer / Bird Study Group was formed and now has members around the world. They band hummingbirds and other migratory birds. They do this at their Clay home and other places in the southern U.S.
Clay Historical Society- This non-profit organization works closely with the City of Clay. Their main goal is to publicly identify Clay's historic landmarks and record the history of the community. And a rich history it is.
Recently, they installed a marker of the Wear Cemetery. Samuel Wear was a Revolutionary War soldier. Many in the city are named Wear or Ware because they are descendants of this man or his brothers.
The society also worked to accumulate historic photos to be put in the archives of the Clay Library.
Ron Self is the president. He can be contacted at 807-1430. The group meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Clay Community Center.
Clay Area Chamber of Commerce- A group of business people joined together a few years ago to support each other in promoting and improving their busiiness. The meetings, with an average attendance of 25, are lively and friendly, just as one would expect in a small city.
At the meetings, usually, a business leader will share a successful business tip with the others. Guest speakers come also. Guests in recent months include Sheriff Mike Hale, Clay-Chalkville High School principal Steve Laney and Coach Jerry Hood.
The chamber works closely with the City of Clay in organizing Clay May Days and the annual Christmas parade.
Becky Johnson is the president. She can be contacted at 205-529-7247. Most often, the chamber meets on the third Thursday of the month at the Clay Community Center for breakfast at 8:15 a.m. Occasionally, they meet for lunch.
Friends of Cosby Lake- In 2003, A group of residents in the Cosby Lake area decided they wanted to preserve Cosby Lake as development pressures came. They organized and pushed the city government to protect this charming lake at the foot of the hill. In early 2008, this group saw their goal come to reality when the City of Clay, with the help of the Fresh Water Land Trust, purchased the lake and surrounding property. Now it is a passive park with a walking trail, picnic areas and a building. Fishing is the most popular activity there.
This group helps monitor the activity at the park, makes suggestions to the City of Clay Park and Recreation Board concerning the Cosby Lake Park and helps keep the area clean. They also seek out grants.
Donna Key is the president. She can be contacted at 681-5469. They meet on the second Tuesday of the month at the Clay Community Center at 6 p.m.
Boosters and PTA- Within its borders, Clay has three very fine schools. Much of this success can be attributed to the parents who donate their time during and after school hours. Education is very important to Clay residents as many moved to this area because of the schools. This area of the county is known for parents who get involved with the schools. To put it plainly - they care.
Each school has a Parent Teacher Association. Clay-Chalkville High School has a band booster club and an athletic booster club. The Clay-Chalkville Middle School also has a band booster club and an athletic booster club. The high school also has an Academic Booster Club.
Scouts- The Boy Scout Troop 124 meets at Faith United Methodist Church at 7315 Old Springville Road. They offer the traditional scouting activities for boys age 10 to 18. This troop has logged in some miles in trips to places such as the Marshall Flight Center and the Talladega Super Speedway for camping.
Boys and Girls Club- The John Williamson Boys and Girls Club in Chalkville has been providing after-school activities for young people for years. This is one of two full-service clubs in the Birmingham metropolitan area. Some of the successful programs include the Bubba Bear Program and Homework Helpline.
Faith-based Organizations
In addition to the many churches in Clay, wiith affiliations with many denominations, some faith-based organizations have been formed as a way to serve others, drawing volunteers from many churches.
The Nest- Started by Clay resident Hal Wycoff, this group includes people of many faiths and has now spanned to include volunteers from other areas. Their focus is on helping homeless people found under the interstate in Birmingham. With or without a sermon, these desperate souls receive kindly, practical assistance, which now includes medical care. News reports have focused on the groups activities. Contact Hal Wycoff at 681-4921.
The Pantry- Clay churches joined together to provide for those who find themselves in desparate need of food. The items are distributed through ms for those in need. The items are distributed through Clay United Methodist Church. Those in need can pick up the items once a month.
Sav·A·Life- When a young woman finds herself unexpectantly pregnant, she might need some information and guidance. Sav·A·Life moved into Clay a few years ago, after renovating an old home. Some people in Clay also volunteer at the center.
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Service