It all started in 1896, when a cross-section of Detroit’s business and professional community first met for no other purpose than to eat lunch. The group, known as the Boosters’ Club, took on the attributes of a luncheon club over a periods of time. One of the energetic members, Charles A. Berkley, organized the group into the formal organization of the first Exchange Club on March 11, 1911. A second club was organized in Toledo, Ohio in 1913 followed by two other clubs in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Cleveland, Ohio. These four clubs were the first to be chartered by The National Exchange Club after it was organized as not-for-profit, educational organizations in 1917. Since then hundreds of clubs have been chartered in the United States and Puerto Rico. In the 1980's the club membership was expanded to include ladies.
On April 13, 1921, at 7:30 P.M. in the main dining room of the Exchange Hotel, two brothers from Selma, Alabama assisted in the organization of Exchange Club of Montgomery. The Montgomery Club, along with three other Alabama clubs in Birmingham, Florence and Selma, were chartered on June 1, 1921. This makes our club one of the 25 oldest clubs in the nation. Our Club was chartered with 58 members who comprised many prominent business and professional men, which included the father of Tonie Tennille of Captain and Tennille fame. Some of the businesses of these charter members are still in existence today
HISTORY OF THE EXCHANGE CLUB OF MONTGOMERY
-Built Exchange club ballpark.
-Paid salary of a Speech Therapist for Montgomery School System.
-Built an addition to the Boy's Dorm at Brantwood Children's Home.
-construction of Educational TV (channel 26)
-Provided playground equipment at Children's Center.
-Provided Camp Exchange for underprivileged kids.
-Grants given to various charitable organizations.
-Provided Care Bears for the Montgomery Fire Department for traumitized children.
-Provided blankets for Department of Human Resources for children.
-Bought four heart resuscitators for the Montgomery Zoo.
-Provided funds to buy Shaken Baby Syndrome Doll for The Family Guidance Center
-Donate money for the past several years to Exchange Family Centers in Mobile and
Birmingham
-Paid salary of a Speech Therapist for Montgomery School System.
-Built an addition to the Boy's Dorm at Brantwood Children's Home.
-construction of Educational TV (channel 26)
-Provided playground equipment at Children's Center.
-Provided Camp Exchange for underprivileged kids.
-Grants given to various charitable organizations.
-Provided Care Bears for the Montgomery Fire Department for traumitized children.
-Provided blankets for Department of Human Resources for children.
-Bought four heart resuscitators for the Montgomery Zoo.
-Provided funds to buy Shaken Baby Syndrome Doll for The Family Guidance Center
-Donate money for the past several years to Exchange Family Centers in Mobile and
Birmingham
Some of the Club's Projects
2010 - 2011 Accomplishments
Social Worker of the Year
Law Officers of the Year
Firefighters of the Year
Youth of the Year
Book of Golden Deeds
Proudly We Hail
Volunteered at The Family Sunshine Center
Fingerprinting and handing out material at Eastdale Mall in April
Sent at least $750 to each Exchange Center in Alabama
Montgomery County Department of Human Services was given 1842 diapers and 2700 baby wipes
Voices of Freedom Plaque given to Dalraida School
200 stuffed bears given to the Montgomery Fire Department
Freedom Shrine was installed at E.D. Nixon School
One Nation Under God brochures given to 8 different schools
2066 Flags were given to 8 different schools
2010 Report Card inserts were given to 7 different schools
COPE was given 50 activity color books, 25 super kid magnets, 150 “Believe in the Blue” tip cards and 25 refrigerator magnets.
78 blankets were given to COPE
2500 “Prevent Child Abuse “ brochures were given to The Family Sunshine Center
10 Constitution of the U S booklets were given to Carr School
Constitution Day materials were given to Wilson Elem.School
Constitution Day materials were given to Trinity School
$1200 was given to the Family Sunshine Center
Law Officers of the Year
Firefighters of the Year
Youth of the Year
Book of Golden Deeds
Proudly We Hail
Volunteered at The Family Sunshine Center
Fingerprinting and handing out material at Eastdale Mall in April
Sent at least $750 to each Exchange Center in Alabama
Montgomery County Department of Human Services was given 1842 diapers and 2700 baby wipes
Voices of Freedom Plaque given to Dalraida School
200 stuffed bears given to the Montgomery Fire Department
Freedom Shrine was installed at E.D. Nixon School
One Nation Under God brochures given to 8 different schools
2066 Flags were given to 8 different schools
2010 Report Card inserts were given to 7 different schools
COPE was given 50 activity color books, 25 super kid magnets, 150 “Believe in the Blue” tip cards and 25 refrigerator magnets.
78 blankets were given to COPE
2500 “Prevent Child Abuse “ brochures were given to The Family Sunshine Center
10 Constitution of the U S booklets were given to Carr School
Constitution Day materials were given to Wilson Elem.School
Constitution Day materials were given to Trinity School
$1200 was given to the Family Sunshine Center