Exchange Club of Bellevue, TN History
The first organizational and chartered meeting of the Exchange Club was held in the old Natchez Trace Restaurant (now Bellevue Florist) with musical entertainment by Hugh Daniel now a webmaster in NC, and has been subsequently held in the basement training room in the old McDonald’s, Log Cabin Barbecue (now Jiffy Lube), Champions (now Asihi Asian Cuisine), Shoney’s, Tee’s Fireside Grill (now Voodoo Gumbo), the Bellevue Diner and now at the Bellevue Regional Community Center at One Bellevue Place, next to the Ford Ice Center (current). Leo Mitchell* was the first President and since many memorable community leaders have been members of the Exchange Club; including former VFW Commander Jonn Furguss, attorney Jimmy C. Vance*, Westview publishers Doug Underwood* and Evelyn Underwood, Dr. Danny King, Judge Leon Ruben*, insurance agent Lou Farringer*, former Metro Councilman Charlie Tygard, attorneys Thomas J. Drake and Ben Harrison, former Metro Councilwoman Dr. Sheri Weiner, current Metro Councilwoman Sharon Hurt, and many others. [* Deceased]
Historical Overview
Charles A. Berkey is credited with the founding of this great organization. At his suggestion, the name “Exchange” was selected because the group wanted to exchange ideas and information with like-minded individuals about how to better serve their communities.The first local Exchange Club was formed in Detroit, Michigan, in 1911. The second was the Exchange Club of Toledo, Ohio, formed in 1913. Subsequently, two others were organized in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Cleveland, Ohio. These four clubs were the first to be chartered by The National Exchange Club after it was organized as a nonprofit, educational organization in 1917.Exchange Clubs sponsor activities under the organization’s Programs of Service – Americanism, Youth Programs, and Community Service as well as its National Project, the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Each year, communities benefit from the promotion of pride in our great country, college scholarships, youth mentoring, service to the underprivileged, and other services tailored to serve the needs of its citizens.In addition to these programs, The National Exchange Club has been at the forefront of significant developments in American history, including the early days of aviation progress. The spirit of patriotism, along with a desire to heighten awareness of our rich religious heritage, placed Exchange in a position of leadership with other organizations that led to the addition of the words “Under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954.
Timeline
1911 – The first Exchange Club formed in Detroit, Michigan.
1913 – The second Exchange Club organized in Toledo, Ohio.
1917 – First convention of several Exchange Clubs and a constitution adopted.
1923 – “Book of Golden Deeds” is established as a national program to recognize efforts of outstanding volunteers in their communities.
1920 – Nashville’s first Exchange Club is established.1928 – “Aviation” adopted as a national project focusing on marking buildings to aid aviation due to many deaths in airplanes.
1929 – Sponsored first “National Women’s Air Derby.” [In 1932, one of Exchange member Bob Allen’s aunts opened the first airport in Wolcott, Indiana and provided chicken dinners on Sunday afternoon to anyone who would fly into the Wolcott airport. inspired to become one of the first women pilots by the 1929 air derby, she was killed in WW II air training maneuvers].
1933 – The National Exchange is called upon by President Franklin Roosevelt to help fight the depression.
1941 – The National Exchange backs the war effort and the “US Savings Bond” program.
1947 – The observance of “National Crime Prevention Week” adopted as a national program.
1948 – The “Boy of the Month and Year” program adopted and in 1971 changed its name to “Youth of the Month and Year.”
1949 – The “Freedom Shrine Project” (set of historic documents) is adopted.
1965 – Three areas of service; 1) American Citizenship, 2) Community Service, and 3) Service to Youth established.
1966 – “Fire Prevention” becomes a nationally recommended project.
1972 – “Milestones of Freedom” project is adopted as an adjunct to the “Freedom Shrine” project.
1976 – “Proudly We Hail” is adopted to encourage display of the American Flag.
1976 – May 22nd – Exchange Club of Bellevue chartered.
1979 – “Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention” is adopted as a national project.
1981 – “Give a Kid a Flag to Wave” is adopted as a national project.
1983 – “Young Citizenship Award” is established at the 65th National Convention in Nashville, Tennessee to honor young men and women who strive to be good citizens at home, at school and in their community.
1992 – “Accepting the Challenge of Excellence (ACE)" award is adopted as a part of the Program for Service for high school students who have overcome obstacles.
1999 – The National Exchange Club co-sponsors the "23rd Annual Air Race Classic" in June where many historical aviation-related items are donated by the Exchange to the International Women’s Air and Space Museum.
2015 – Partnership with the Veterans Matter organization announced to help house homeless veterans.