Village Proclaims March 27 National Exchange Club Day

“Family, community and country,” those are the values of the Exchange Club, a national club with a chapter in Grayslake. The village has proclaimed March 27, 2011 National Exchange Club Day as the organization celebrates its 1ooth anniversary this year.

Paul Patricelli, Grayslake Exchange Club president-elect, said the day will encourage members of the community to increase their awareness of what the Exchange Club is all about: “Our primary focus is on the betterment of our families, our youth and a safe, positive community," he said. "I would think everyone would support that.”

While the village did not provide any further information regarding a celebration, Patricelli said residents can commemorate the Exchange Club’s goals by thinking about how they can give back.

 “Take a moment and think about one small, sincere, unselfish gesture that they can make towards another person in their community and realize that it makes a huge difference in that other person’s life,” he said.

Aside from the club’s 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.

Cynthia Lee, Grayslake Exchange Club secretary and district director of  Division 2, said a proclamation was sent out by the club’s national headquarters based in Toledo, Ohio suggesting clubs contact their towns to issue a proclamation.

The Grayslake Village Board approved proclaiming March 27 National Exchange Club Day at its Feb. 15 board meeting.

Exchange is an all-volunteer service organization for men and women with 700 clubs and approximately 28,000 members throughout the Unites States and Puerto Rico.

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.