Lincolnland Club and District Leaders,
This edition of "Around Lincolnland" features the Exchange Club of Bloomington. For more information, please contact Past District President Bill Cockrell at NormalBill@aol.com.
The Exchange Club of Bloomington was chartered on July 6th, 1936. Verner Kurth, a local funeral director, was the first club president. A model airplane contest was the first club project, and there were events for rubber band flights, gas model free flights, and tether control speed flights. Although the club was dormant from October 1939 until August 1945, it was officially restored in October 1945 and has been very active in the community ever since. We currently have 29 members.
In 1985 Joyce Soebbing, Executive Assistant at State Farm Insurance, became our first female member. She went on to become a Deputy Regional Vice President. Obviously, being an Exchangite is good for one's career.
Over the years we have installed Freedom Shrines in a number of schools, provided furnishings to local welfare agencies, sponsored nursing scholarships, and hosted numerous sports and achievement recognition events for the local community youth. Our 2009 - 2010 projects include a canned food drive for the Safe Harbor Shelter, preparing and serving 70+ meals for Safe Harbor clients in October and April, GiveAKidAFlagToWave at the Memorial Day Parade, Believe in Blue Campaign, an Easter Party at a local school for children with learning disabilities, a grant to ABC Counseling Service for abused children, assisting at an ABC Fundraiser, providing donations to the Unity Center and the Western Avenue Community Center, and honoring ACE Award and Book of Golden Deeds recipients.
Our fundraisers include personalized handwritten letters from Santa with North Pole postmarks, Bergner Days Coupon Books, and generous donations by our club members for various projects.
Our club meets at noon on Wednesdays at the Second Presbyterian Church in downtown Bloomington. We have excellent programs plus outstanding lunches prepared by Chef Paul. Guests are always welcome.
Thanks for all you do in the Spirit of Exchange.
Scot
Scot Warren
Senior Project Manager
HPD
23563 W. Main St., Route 126
Plainfield, IL 60544
Tel: (815) 609-2137
Fax: (815) 609-2142
e-mail: scot.warren@veoliawater.com
www.hpdsystems.com
