Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cassie Medlley presents Orland Britnell with the Hall of Fame Award during Thursday night’s Partnership banquet.

As Orland Britnell clutched the large Hall of Fame trophy that he had just been presented at the Franklin County Partnership Awards Banquet Thursday night honoring him for his volunteer work that helps raise college scholarship funds for Franklin County students, his thoughts immediately moved to a dear friend that he lost this past year.
“I am just floored about this,” he said. “It means a lot to me that the work we do helps others.”
Britnell has spearheaded the efforts of the Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association’s steak sandwich sales, which generates thousands of dollars each year for college scholarships for Franklin County graduating seniors.
“Thomas Harbin, my close friend that we lost April 29 of last year, really helped me start this. We went and visited a steak sandwich sale in another county and then came home and convinced our members that we needed to try it. The very first one we did we bought enough buns to sell 1,000 sandwiches. We sold 976 and have been going strong ever since.”
The county cattlemen’s association has grown to have the second largest membership in the state and has generated almost $100,000 for local scholarships.
“Everything we do is by volunteers and there are a lot of people who help us,” Britnell said.
“I just enjoy what we do and I am very humbled and appreciative to be recognized with this award. It means a lot to me.”
During Thursday night’s annual Partnership Awards Banquet hosted by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and the Franklin County Development Authority, several county residents and businesses were honored.
The Partnership Awards are a collaborative effort between the two organizations to recognize county businesses and individuals who work to make Franklin County a better place to live, worship and work.
One of those honored was Jolene Stockton, of Russellville, who was named the 2013 “Unsung Hero” award winner. The Unsung Hero Award is presented to someone who often goes the extra mile to get involved in programs to help others in the county.
Stockton works tirelessly raising money for the Franklin County Relay for Life that raises proceeds for the American Cancer Society. She was named the 2011-2012 Franklin County Volunteer of the Year for the American Cancer Society.
“I have a big support group behind me and there are a lot of people that deserve this,” Stockton said. “I just get a blessing out of helping other people and there are a lot of people who help me, it’s not just me. But this honor is very nice and I am very grateful.”
The following is a list of Thursday’s winners:
• Distinguished Service, Russellville – Judy Pounders
• Distinguished Service, Phil Campbell – Bruce Forman
• Distinguished Service, Red Bay – Glen Vinson
• Beautification Award, Russellville – Artistic Jewelry and Repair, Inc.
• Beautification Award, Phil Campbell – Phil Campbell Memorial Park
• Beautification Award, Red Bay – Red Bay Heritage Park
• Business of the Year – First Metro Bank
• Unsung Hero Award – Jolene Stockton, Russellville
• Volunteer of the Year – Scotty Kennedy, Red Bay
• Hall of Fame Award – Orland Britnell
• Franklin County’s Best Kept Secret Award – Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park
• Excellence in Industrial Growth Award – Leisure Creations
• Industrial Support Award – Russellville Water and Sewer Board
• Industry of the Year – G&G Steel, Inc.
• Educator of the Year, Russellville city schools – Anna Kay Holland, Russellville High School
• Educator of the Year, Franklin County schools – Susan Norton, Phil Campbell High School
• Robert I. Rogers Award – Jerry Mays, Phil Campbell