LEEDS — The selectmen of the Town of Leeds recognized David Trider’s lifetime of service to his community with the presentation of the 2014 Spirit of America Award.

The 2014 Leeds Town Report was dedicated to Trider, noting his selfless contributions to the town of Leeds, including 55 years in the Leeds Fire Volunteer Fire Department, serving as a selectman and as a deacon of the Leeds Community Church.

He is known as a neighbor who can always be counted on to lend a helping hand to those in need. Still active in many community activities, he was for many years a youth group leader and a Boy Scout leader.

Speaking at the annual Town Meeting in June, Selectmen Dwight Buckley remarked that when the opportunity came to give this award, there was immediate consensus that it should go to Trider.

“I’ve known David my entire life,” said Buckley “and he has always been the first to step up when he saw a need. He was my Boy Scout leader, and he didn’t even have a kid in Scouts at the time. I have many fond memories of David loading us kids into his Corvair and driving us up over Additon Hill from one activity or another in Turner or the surrounding towns.”

Trider is still behind the wheel, often being the first one to get to the fire station to take a truck in response to a fire call.

Leeds Administrative Assistant Joyce Pratt spoke for all when she said, “We are proud to have David as a citizen of Leeds.”

The Spirit of America Foundation awards are presented in the name of Maine municipalities to local individuals, organizations and projects for commendable community service. More than 200 people have received this recognition since it was first awarded in Maine in 1991.

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