When you hear the word “exchange,” a volunteer organization usually doesn’t come to mind.
Let me tell you a little about Exchange with a capital “E.” The first Exchange Club was founded on March 27, 1911, in Detroit, Michigan, by businessmen who wanted to “exchange” ideas. Exchange had its beginnings as a luncheon gathering of businessmen known as the Booster’s Club. Desiring to “exchange” experiences, members shared stories, provided business advice to one another and began to dream about what they might accomplish with their collective talents and mutual interests.
For more than 104 years, the volunteer efforts of Exchange Club members have supported the needs of the United States and local communities. With 700 clubs and over 21,000 members, Exchange is our nation’s oldest service organization operating exclusively in the United States and Puerto Rico.
Exchange sponsors activities designed to benefit, award and develop our nation’s youth, promote crime prevention, serve senior citizens and recognize military and public safety service providers. Exchange also promotes Americanism programs, and its national project is the prevention of child abuse.
Every Exchange Club is charged with building a new club. The Exchange Club of Naperville was successful in completing that task when recently the Exchange Club of DuPage County was chartered. Dawn Portner, Janet Jacobs, Scot Warren and I met with local community leaders to find a community that would benefit from another Exchange Club. It took about a year and a half, but we are extremely excited to have this new club.
We are thrilled to welcome the Exchange Club of DuPage County as the newest club in Lincolnland.
To learn more about Exchange, local community projects or our largest fundraiser, Exchange Club of Naperville Ribfest, contact me at EmyTrotz@gmail.com. Or visit www.exchangeclub.org.
