Service Projects
Exchange Club Programs of Service
Americanism || Community Service || Youth Projects || Child Abuse Prevention || Local Focus
Americanism Projects
Exchange's Americanism activities promote pride in our country, respect for the flag and appreciation for our responsibilities and freedoms. One such project, One Nation Under God aims to increase awareness and appreciation of our nation's religious heritage through activities such as community wide prayer breakfasts and school assembly programs.
Another program, Project GIVEAKIDAFLAGTOWAVE involves distributing small American flags to youngsters at parades, fairs and other community events.
Proudly We Hail is a simple activity which honors individuals, commercial establishments and industries who regularly fly the American flag through the presentation of plaques and recognition at club meetings.
The best known and most widely acclaimed Americanism project is the Freedom Shrine, a collection of photographic reproductions of 30 historic American documents. The Freedom Shrine displays have been dedicated in thousands of high schools, libraries and other public places across the nation in an effort to instill in our youth a lasting respect for their American heritage. Though Freedom Shrines may be installed any time, Freedom Shrine Month is observed annually in May. See the Virtual Freedom Shrine. See the National Exchange Club's Americanism Page.
Community Service Projects
Exchange's Community Service projects meet diverse local needs. These activities are broad in scope and designed to benefit every member of the community. The National Exchange Club observes National Crime Prevention Month in October to heighten public awareness of the many ways clubs and average citizens can help prevent crime in their cities and towns.
In addition to this special event, many Exchange Clubs implement various Crime Prevention projects throughout the year, including Child Identification / fingerprinting , Junior Police and Soul Patrol. Another proven project is the Book of Golden Deeds Award, which honors the quiet good deeds of men and women who perform exceptional volunteer work in their communities. Other recommended Community Service projects include Fire Prevention and Service to Seniors. See the National Exchange Club's Community Service page.
Youth Projects
The Youth activities found in the Program of Service have been designed to benefit young people of our country.
The most popular of these is the Youth of the Month/Year Award, presented by clubs to high school students who attain high levels of scholastic achievement, commitment involvement and leadership. The monthly program culminates in the selection or a Youth or the Year, who advances to district competition and ultimately an opportunity to vie for the National Youth of the Year Award.
The A.C.E. Accepting the Challenge of Excellence Award, a recent addition to the Programs of Service, recognizes high school students who have overcome physical emotional or social challenges and gone on to achieve academic and personal success. The Young Citizenship Award recognizes pre-high school students who daily demonstrate good citizenship.
Other Youth Projects are Excel Clubs (high school) and Collegiate Exchange Clubs. Read more About Excel. See the National Exchange Club's Youth Programs page. Local Exchange Clubs award grants to many area youth organizations including the Boy's Club, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts, Big Brothers/Big Sisters Association and area sports leagues, just to name a few.
The Prevention of Child Abuse
Our National Focus
www.PreventChildAbuse.com
Georgia Links: Statesboro Family Skills Center || Exchange Club Family Resource Center (Rome)
Open Arms, Inc. (Albany)
Georgia Exchange Foundation for the Prevention of Child Abuse
The Methodist Home for Children & Youth || The Crescent House
Looking for a way to fight child abuse? Donate your car!
Local Focus
Almost every Exchange Club in the country participates in the above listed activities. However, each local club seeks out projects that enrich their communities. These are varied from place to place and make the Exchange experience a wonderful one. Every community with an Exchange Club in it is better due to the concerned involvement of that club.
The My Day In Court Program shows young people our American legal system in action by allowing school children to observe the court in session and speak with a judge. The Get Out The Vote program encourages local citizens to vote by providing transportation to those lacking a way to the polling booth.
Exchange Clubs, through their fund-raisers such as the Georgia STATE FAIR (Macon) , the Southwest Georgia Fair (Albany), the Coastal Empire Fair (Savannah), the Georgia/Carolina State Fair (Augusta), annual Golf Tournaments and others, raise monies to support local charities and community service programs. The Macon Rescue Mission, The Crescent House, Ronald McDonald House , Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, The Methodist Home for Children & Youth, the Statesboro Family Skills Center, The Exchange Club Family Resource Center in Rome are but a few of the many local non-profit organizations supported.
