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Grayslake Exchange Club Celebrates Community Members

The Grayslake Exchange Club's annual Book of Golden Deeds event recognized the accomplishments of its members, local students and officers.

Nearly 100 people attended the ’s annual Book of Golden Deeds ceremony to recognize the honorable efforts of both its members and others in the community who have dedicated their time to making Grayslake a safer and more enjoyable place to live. 

Guest speaker Lake County Circuit Judge John T. Phillips said he appreciated the efforts of organizations like Exchange because of all they do to benefit the community.

“These are the people that do things, get out in the community and make it a better place. They help families tremendously. They’re just all around good people,” Phillips said.

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Exchange is an all-volunteer service organization for men and women with 700 clubs and approximately 28,000 members throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The Grayslake chapter has approximately 70 members and is always looking for more people to join.

Aside from the club’s national goal of child abuse prevention, the Grayslake chapter also supports women's shelters, PADS homeless shelters, sponsors a "Student of the Month" with grants for future learning and maintains Center Street from Route 83 to Route 45 under the "Adopt-A-Highway" program, among others.

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Phillips was also the recipient of the Exchange Club’s Contributing Services Award, which recognizes those whose overall effectiveness makes the community and state a better place to live.  

Cynthia Lee, Grayslake Exchange Club secretary and district director of  Division 2, said the Book of Golden Deeds ceremony is an extra special event and the Book of Golden Deeds award is one of the highest given from the Exchange Club.

“It exemplifies those people that go above and beyond,” she said.

David Raye, Grayslake Exchange Club president, introduced recipient of the Book of Golden Deeds award Robert E. Frank saying those that receive the award exemplify the national Exchange Club’s beliefs.

Frank joined the Grayslake Exchange Club in 1985 and joined the Round Lake Area Exchange Club in 2002. Frank has been the emcee for all of the Grayslake club’s events, auctions, Book of Golden Deeds, has been a PADS volunteer, has hosted multiple fundraisers at the Lehmann mansion to build Grass Lake Road complex and has participated in multiple other non-for-profit fundraisers, among other accomplishments.

“This person never says no,” Raye said.

Frank is also a Grayslake Exchange Club past president and currently serves as chairman on the Lake Villa Economic Development.

In representing his family’s long legacy with the Grayslake Exchange Club, Frank accepted the award with a photo of his parents on the podium.

His mother Jeann Frank received the Book of Golden Deeds award in 1976 and his sister Lee Ann Frank Olson was a Grayslake Exchange Club student of the year. Both of his parents were active in the Grayslake community after relocating from Kentucky in 1965.

“I love Exchange, it’s a wonderful organization,” he said, accepting the award with his wife Shawn Altmann of 15 years and his two daughters Isabella, 9, and Sophia, 4.

David Peregrin, Grayslake Exchange Club member and past recipient of the Book of Deeds award, grabbed the mic to thank Frank for his outgoing personality.

“He has so much positive energy. He says ‘hi’ and he gives everybody a bounce in their step. Thank you for everything you have done,” he said.

Other awards recognized both members and non-members for their dedication to the Grayslake community:

  • William Delp received the Educator of the Year award for his work with .
  • Natalie Krajewski from Grayslake North and Isaac Parakati from Grayslake Central received Student of the Year awards.
  • Kyle Engdahl from Grayslake Central received the club’s ACE award.
  • The Firefighter of the Year award went to Grayslake Firefighter Gerry O’Sullivan who served 6 years of active duty with the U.S. military and is currently serving in Afghanistan. His wife Becky accepted the award on his behalf in an emotional display of gratitude.

“I have not seen him smile that big in a very, very long time,” she said about when she told Gerry via Skype about the award. Gerry is expected to return this August. Becky read a letter from Gerry that thanked the fire department, the community and his wife and children.

The club also recognized Patrol Officer Shawn M. Peterson for being Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. 

“It’s been a pleasure and privilege to serve all the citizens of Grayslake,” Peterson said. Community Service Officer Karin Shepherd was recognized with a Community Service Award.

“I enjoy serving the community in which I’ve lived for 19 years,” she said when accepting the award.

Michael Pruitt, co-owner and head of operations at , was awarded Rookie of the Year. Pruitt has been with the club for less than a year but his involvement in various events, including the Dine n Share event that he hosted at The Vine earned him the title. He is also the president-elect for the 2011/2012 year.

Two Grayslake Exchange members who were surprised by their awards were Jeff Lockwood and Roberta Pfeiffer. Lockwood received the All American Award for his role in helping to build the with his wife Joyce Campbell and for his various volunteer activities.

“This comes as a complete shock and surprise. I’ve never got anything like this before and it is so cool. Thank you,” he said to the club.

Pfeiffer received the Exchangite of the Year award for her role in fundraisers and she is the chairperson of the club’s Relay for Life event in June.

Through tears she said “I’ve made so many friends. It’s been a fun year.”

The awards event took place at State Bank of the Lakes May 19.

The Grayslake Exchange Club has given 46 Book of Golden Deeds awards and not all award recipients have been Exchange members.  

The Grayslake Exchange Club meets every Thursday, 12 p.m. at Whitney Street Restaurant, located at 30 N. Whitney Street. For more information, visit exchangeofgrayslake.org. Meetings are open to the public.

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