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Naperville
Friday, March 29, 2024

Exchange Club celebrates Americanism year round

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This summer marks the 29th time the Exchange Club of Naperville has hosted Ribfest in cooperation with the City of Naperville and the Naperville Park District.

Organized annually in conjunction with Independence Day by the dedicated members of the Exchange Club of Naperville, nearly 4,000 community volunteers also sign up to lend service for four days to put on a party with a purpose that includes food, fun and music.

Important to note is that over the first 28 years, $14.5M has been donated from Ribfest proceeds to more than 50 local social service agencies, including Project H.E.L.P., all working with families to prevent child abuse and to eliminate domestic violence.

freedom-shrine-3Every year the focus on family and fun resounds throughout Knoch Park with happy sounds of kids at play. For starters, the ever-popular Family Fun Time, scheduled every day from noon to 3PM, offers discounted adult admission at each gate for $12. Kids 11 and under are always admitted free at Ribfest as are many entertainment venues outside the carnival area. During Family Fun Time, a carnival wristband is $10 per person for unlimited carnival rides.

More than pulled pork barbecue, smoked ribs and festival food, Ribfest also hosts some 40 other food vendors, sure to please every appetite. For instance, members of the Naperville Noon Lions Club will return with their famous funnel cakes.

After Ribfest and the spectacular Independence Day fireworks become memories, the spirit of America lingers throughout the year with Exchange Club and its Americanism Committee. They organize parade participants to march with the Grand Old Flag on Memorial Day and Labor Day, etc.

On September 11, the Exchange Club’s Americanism Committee hosts the annual observance to remember the horrific terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and over Pennsylvania on Sept.11, 2001; events that launched the war on terror, an ongoing campaign by the U.S. and some of its allies to counter international terrorism while striving for world peace.

The Exchange Club family also organizes community service projects and memorable events that pay tribute to first responders, veterans, volunteers and folks who proudly display American flags at their homes and businesses.

And there’s the Freedom Shrine behind the Municipal Center, donated to the citizens of Naperville in 1992 by the Exchange Club of Naperville. The impressive collection of historic document replicas serves to remind the community of the great efforts that have been taken to ensure this country’s freedom. According to Exchangite Emy Trotz, the idea originated with the Freedom Train that toured the nation in 1947 with the same set of historic documents.

The Freedom Shrine also serves as an educational tool in Naperville schools and as a motivational display in public places such as the banquet hall at the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873.

When our nation’s founders wrote the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, they aimed for those documents to limit government and protect individual liberty. Stop by any of the Freedom Shrines in Naperville, all of which have been funded for display by the Exchange Club of Naperville. Reflect upon the messages inscribed in parchment, a showcase of the Founders’ vision. Help uphold the idea of liberty and justice for all.

One more thing. Consider taking a tour of the Riverwalk this summer from Main Street to Eagle Street, the first section that was built in 1981. The brick path has witnessed lots of changes during its first 35 years. When dedicated back then, the Municipal Center, Naperville Township Building, Nichols Library and, of course, the Water Street District had not been built.

And Veterans Plaza, a gift from the Exchange Club of Naperville, was added to the Riverwalk several years ago where a plaque from the Naperville Evening Kiwanis also pays honor and gratitude to all who have served with sacrifice to protect the freedoms of the United States of America.

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PN Ombudsman
PN Ombudsman
An ombudsman is Scandinavian in origin dating back to Viking times; and refers to a community representative; usually acting independently on behalf of an organization, body of elected officials, or civic group. Thanks Scandinavia for inventing ombudsman.

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