Exchange Club Celebrates 100th Anniversary

The National Exchange Club – a service organization with 700 clubs and over 22,000 members throughout the United States and Puerto Rico – celebrated its 100th anniversary throughout the month of March. 

To recognize the organization’s centennial milestone, the Exchange Club of Grayslake will donate over 100 cans of food to the Avon Township Pantry.

Exchange will also mark its centennial anniversary with special celebrations during its annual national convention slated for July 6-9 in Detroit. That is a fitting location, as the first Exchange Club was founded in Detroit on March 27, 1911 by businessmen who wanted to “exchange” ideas.

The Exchange Club later moved its headquarters to Toledo, Ohio in 1917, according to a release by the club. For the past 100 years, its volunteer efforts have supported the needs of the country and of local communities, making it the country’s oldest American service organization operating exclusively in the United States.

Exchange, America's Service Club, is a group of men and women working together to make local communities a better place to live through programs of service in Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities, and its national project, the Prevention of Child Abuse.

“Many of our efforts promote ‘Americanism’ – the concept that our country plays a special role as a beacon of freedom, democracy, equality and inclusiveness," Jim Hartley, executive vice president at the organization’s headquarters said in a statement. "We are always looking for new members to help promote these ideals to a new generation of Americans.”

“We are also looking to increase public awareness of the work done by local clubs and members that comprise the National Exchange Club and help attract new members so we can continue to expand our ability to serve families, our communities and our great country for a second century of service,” he said.

The Exchange Club of Grayslake was Chartered on August 20, 1971 and is celebrating 40 years. For more information about getting involved in the National Exchange Club in your area, call 847-223-5222 or visit exchangeofgrayslake.org.

The Exchange Club of Grayslake meets weekly at Whitney’s Restaurant on Thursday’s at noon in downtown Grayslake.