DAVID BRADLEY is a well-rounded business owner who finds ways to unite his skills and passions to serve the community.
Lebron Haggard had remarkable things to say about the philanthropist. David met Lebron before Lebron opened his brewery.
He said, “He’s just one of those people. He’s a very level-headed person. He’s always pushing for people to donate money to charity.”
Lebron and his team attended a couple of David’s fundraising events, and he compared the events to “hanging out around a campfire.”
Bradley grew up all over the country and ended up in Manchester about 16 years ago.
He pursued his passion for understanding how things operate by working in the aerospace engineering department in college, but later decided to work full time.
A few years later, Bradley embarked on an entrepreneurial journey with a college friend, growing their business from a simple computer repair shop to a regional technology company and internet service provider.
Today, Bradley finds joy in helping clients plan and implement solutions that make their businesses more efficient and capable. Though Bradley has scaled down his business to maintain a work-life balance, his enthusiasm for innovation remains.
Bradley said the same mindset he had while working with clients in the tech industry trickled into his passion for helping others.
He said, “We all benefit from the work being done by all these great groups working very hard to help people. And in turn, that pays dividends for our city, the surrounding towns, and the whole county.”
One project he worked on in the past allowed him to provide rural communities with wireless internet connection via towers.
His experience helping his clients with their tech needs led him to begin charitable events unintentionally. One year, instead of receiving presents during a combined birthday party, he and his friends decided to raise funds for a special cause.
The event was a huge success, raising significant amounts for the Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center and R.U.F.F. (Redemption Underground Freedom Fund). The tradition continued through the years as the “Combined Birthday Bash.” Each party has unique themes, such as the “Pajama Party,” which paid homage to Manchester’s World’s Largest Pajama Party world record.
Through these events, he and his friends have raised funds for various organizations such as the Manchester Art Center, the high school junior ROTC, and the local police department’s Angel Tree Christmas Program.
Bradley’s favorite fundraiser was last year’s event for the Manchester Police Department’s Angel Tree Program.
He believes a perfect party requires good people, a great cause, and a fun theme.
Over the years, Bradley’s annual themed birthday bashes have increased significantly in participation, and he hopes to serve many more charities in the future.
“It seems like every year I say, ‘There’s no way we’ll be able to match this or outdo it next year… there’s no way.’ And every year, we find a way.”
Living in Manchester, good people and good causes aren’t hard to find, and Bradley said he is blessed to be surrounded by so many generous, community-minded people who have helped make his events a success.
For Bradley, three people came to mind: Joyce Prusak, who is a long-time executive director for Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center and has substantially impacted the community; and Tim and Misti Garrett, owners of Transformation Wellness and Martial Arts (TWMA) and Snap Fitness, who help promote wellness and provide tools for children to build confidence and learn essential self-defense skills.
“I’m very blessed to know so many great people in Manchester and get to call so many of them my friends. They’re kind, honorable, and accepting. And knowing each of them uniquely positively impacted my life.”
Bradley also serves on the Public Building Authority, which he said is important because he strongly believes in tourism’s positive economic impact on the community.
Bradley’s future goal is to create a more welcoming community for newcomers. He enjoys meeting and greeting new arrivals in Manchester, helping them integrate into the city’s social fabric.
“If ‘Manchester Greeter’ was an official position, I’d fill out the application. That would be an awesome job to have.”
Bradley envisions an organized effort to officially identify and welcome new residents, making them feel at home in the beautiful city.
He encourages all who can to extend a helping hand to their community by volunteering. Consider raising money for a specific cause at your next get-together, big or small.
“We can all leave this world a little better than we found it, and there’s no reason we can’t have a good time while doing that.” GN
