This month, NewCanaanite.com is publishing Q&As with local service organizations—volunteer groups that give back to the community while offering connection, camaraderie and fun.
Today we feature the Exchange Club of New Canaan.
Here’s our exchange with the nonprofit organization’s former president, Jeff Platt.
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New Canaanite: Please give us some background on the Exchange Club. How and when did the organization start?
Jeff Platt: The National Exchange Club is one of the oldest service organizations in the country. More than 600 local clubs throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico provide individuals with opportunities to use their time and talents to benefit their local communities and the nation.
Through the Programs of Service: Americanism, Community Service and Youth Programs – members support activities that benefit youth, promote pride in our country, and honor military and public service providers, to name a few. The awareness and prevention of child abuse is Exchange’s National Project. Exchange was founded in 1911 in Detroit, Michigan by a group of business executives who wanted simply to exchange ideas. Those ideas grew and were shared, resulting in innumerable benefits to the nation. Currently, Exchange has over 18,000 members in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Describe the Exchange Club’s membership. How many members are there and what are the guidelines for membership? How does a resident become a member? What do you think attracts people to join and participate in Exchange Club?
The Exchange Club of New Canaan was chartered in 1952. Our 120+ members represent a wide range of professions, most of whom remain active in their careers while others have retired. Members of the Exchange Club of New Canaan are drawn together by shared basic attitudes: our love for our families and our country and our respect for human dignity and for one another. If you are interested in learning more about the Exchange Club of New Canaan, please visit Newcanaanexchangeclub.com
How often does Exchange Club meet and what activities does the organization offer?
We strive to make our community a better place to live through selected service projects, learning more about our community from our semi-monthly dinner meetings (1st & 3rd Tuesdays) with guest speakers and the camaraderie in the spirit of service that forms the basis of the Exchange Club. Residents may notice members of the Exchange Club volunteering at community events including passing out thousands of American flags at the Memorial Day parade, and working the concession stand at the Family Fourth celebration in Waveny Park.
What project or projects can you highlight to give our readers an idea of what the Exchange Club has accomplished here in town?
This year we granted over $200,000 to local charities and community organizations.
We primarily raise funds by selling over 1,200 Christmas trees and other holiday merchandise including wreaths in Kiwanis Park in December and through our golf outing in early October. All of the monies generated by these events are distributed via our Grants & Donations Committee each spring.
What does the organization support?
The Exchange Club of New Canaan serves the community in many ways. We distribute grants to local non-profits, support local organizations with their fund-raising activities, and participate in community events. We have four main pillars: the prevention of child abuse (our primary focus), community service, youth projects and Americanism. In particular, we provide financial and volunteer support to Help for Kids in Stamford. The full list of grant recipients is at www.newcanaanexchangeclub.com
What else, if anything, would you like to tell our readers about the Exchange Club?
Two things:
- Over the last 10 years, the Exchange Club has granted over $1.5 million to local charities and community organizations
- The Exchange Club has been selling Christmas tree and wreaths benefiting local charities for over 50 years in New Canaan.