EXCHANGE CLUB

OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

Going deeper
Exchange Club makes push to exceed goal

he Exchange Club of Southwest Michigan was there at the start when the
Newsie drive began in 1930 albeit as
the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph Exchange Club.
It changed its name last year to reflect a growing
regional reach.
Club President Dale Stover, who chairs the clubs
Good Fellow effort, said area service club members were disappointed with last years drive.
Weve got to dig a little deeper, he said. And
a lot of people have never heard of the Newsie
deal.
So the clubs are getting out the word.
After all, he said, Its the oldest program in
Southwest Michigan to allow Christmas to happen for those in need.
Exchange Club membership is open to anyone
in Southwest Michigan. The club meets weekly at
noon on Tuesdays at the Benton Harbor Elks
Club along Riverview Drive.
The Southwest Michigan unit, started in 1923,
is the nations eighth oldest Exchange Club
which is Americas largest service club.

Patriotism is a major focus.

Don Campbell / HP staff

Members of the Exchange Club of Southwest Michigan include, from left, front row Kylie Svorec, Rheta Peters, Lynn
Stover, Lois Ashbrook and Velma Skelley; back row Milt Zoschke, Andy Hannich, Don Peters and Jack Stuber.

The Exchange Club of Southwest Michigan also includes, from left, front row Brian Ferguson, Pastor Lisa Gorman,
Jim Reeves, Brenda Yenchus, Merlin Bushert; back row Don Alsbro, Larry Martin, Henry Slavicek, Dale Stover, Jim
Ashbrook and Charlie Hackensmith.

Service club members prepare to hit the streets with fresh Newsies in this undated photo.

We like to say, Were the club that believes in

America, Stover said.
Members are excited about a partnership with
the PGA to mount U.S. flags along a path during
the 2016 Senior PGA Championship at the Golf
Club at Harbor Shores.
The club is responsible for the Lest We Forget
flag display at the Southwest Michigan Regional
Airport. Furthermore, it hands out flags to youth
during the Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade.
Another passion for Exchange Club nationwide
is child abuse prevention, Stover said.
Meanwhile, the club presents its annual ACE
(Accepting the Challenge of Excellence) Award
to a student who has overcome a difficult past to
succeed.
It awards the Youth of the Year to an outstanding high school student.
It presents the Leo Stanley 4-H Award to Berrien Countys outstanding 4-H member.
The club annually awards the Police Officer of
the Year Award and Firefighter of the Year.
The club has supported high school sports and
the annual crying towel session for area coaches.
The coach with the best story gets the towel.
The club runs a scholarship program, and it encourages writing and citizenship through an essay
contest for students.
In addition, the club has installed Freedom
Shrines, featuring copies of important historic
documents at various sites in the region.