Mr. Russ James took on a second career of volunteerism, after his retirement.   He was a past President of the Erin Rotary Club and the current President of the Erin Rotary Foundation which administers the Houston County Imagination Library program. He was also a board member of the Houston County Area Chamber of Commerce, key organizer of the Irish Day Celebration,  Middle Tennessee Workforce Essentials, the Foster Care Review Board, Chairman of Trinity Hospital Board, and Program Chairman of the Golden Agers Club. 

He spent his years of retirement here in Houston County working, in all his efforts, to bring improvements to the county and it's children.  After his passing in March 2008, an award in his honor has been established to recognize other individuals who have also spent their time and talents to help benefit our county.

A beautiful crystal bowl from our sister city of Gallway Ireland is awarded at the annual Chamber Membership Banquet to a hard working reciepent.