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Be our guest for lunch at Luigi's! The first three Thursdays of the month, Noon to 1:00 P.M., 245 West Main Avenue, Spokane See below for upcoming programs September 5, 2019 –Spokane Public School Board candidate forum July 11, 2019, Candidate Forum for Spokane City Council President Election |
Child Abuse Prevention
Through the proceeds of the annual holiday crab feed/auction in December, the club has donated over $730,000 to support the programs and services of Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, Children’s Home Society and Partners With Families and Children.
Americanism
The club annually donates and distributes thousands of flags along the ValleyFest and Fairfield Flag Day parade routes. An annual award, Proudly We Hail, recognizes individuals or businesses which display the American flag your around and display the flag correctly.
Youth Programs
The club recognizes youth in our schools for citizenship, achievement and volunteerism. The Exchange Club of Spokane Foundation annually awards two college scholarships at Lewis and Clark and Central Valley High Schools. The overall winner of the Youth of the Year award advances to District and National competition. Students who have overcome personal obsticles and achieve graduation from North Central High, Rogers High or Spokane alternative programs are recognized with the ACE Award and receive a cash stipend.. The overall winner advances to District and National competition. The Young Citizenship Award honors students from five elementary schools for school involvement and volunteering!
Community Service
The club coordinates and provides volunteers to distribute Bloomsday t-shirts...for over thirty years…Over one million shirts and more than one hundred forty volunteers each year! In addition, Exchange Club recognizes a community hero through its annual Golden Deeds program. The Exchange Club Foundation uses its proceeds to fund local grants to non-profit agencies working to improve the lives of community members in need of assistance.
Exchange, America's Service Club, is a group of men and women working together to make our communities better places to live through programs of service in Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities, and its national project, Child Abuse Prevention.
The Exchange Club of Downtown Spokane, chartered in 1948, provides a wonderful opportunity for networking and fellowship with a group of men and women working together to strengthen our community through its programs of service, making it a better place to live!
During Child Abuse Prevention month in April 2019 a total of $63,000 was distributed to Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, Partners with Families and Children and Children's Home Society's Spokane Office as a result of the club's annual crab feed/auction in December 2018!
Six seniors graduating from local alternative high schools were recognized in the ACE award program, Accepting the Challenge of Excellence in overcoming personal circumstances to move forward with their lives. All received $500 gift and certificates of recognition as a club luncheon.
The Exchange Club of Spokane Foundation Partners With Innovia Community Foundation
"Improving our community and the quality of life of children, youth and families by supporting child abuse prevention, educational opportunities for young people, and the Exchange Club's service projects"
Management of the Exchange Club of Spokane Foundation funds is intrusted to The former Inland Northwest Community Foundation now Innovia.
The Merrill K. and Janet E. Nystuen Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded in conjunction with The National Exchange Club Youth of the Year Program, which honors outstanding students who exhibit excellence in academics and leadership. The applicant must exhibit strength of character, humility, scholarship and leadership.
A scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from Central Valley High School who has been accepted and will be attending a four-year college of their choice. The Lewis and Clark High School scholarship, in memory of Janet's brother, Glen William Miller, who was killed in WWII, is awarded to a graduating senior attending Washington State University. The senior class school counselor at each school provides the application information to graduating seniors.
Foundation Charitable Grant-Making Program
In accordance with the dictates of the Nystuen will and the mission statement of the Foundation, the Foundation set up a Grant-Making Fund to be used for grants to Spokane Area nonprofit agencies, whose ideals and programs sustain those of the Exchange Club, particularly to support the prevention of child abuse and at-risk youth.
The amount available for distribution is dependent on investment performance and the schedule of such distribution is determined by the foundation board. Information regarding the Grant Making Fund application process is made available to prior recipients and posted on this website.
Program Support Funds
Endowment funds provide support funding for Exchange Club awards, such as the ACE Awards, guest speaker and award recipient and guests meals, award certificates and plaques.