Noon Exchange Club distributes more than $20,000
Fri, 2016-07-01 05:00
News Staff
By DAVID MORRIS
Cove Leader-Press
As one of his final acts as president of the Noon Exchange Club of Copperas Cove, Dennis Ayers presented large checks to local entities during the annual officer installation dinner.
The club that meets the second and fourth Fridays of the month at Lil Tex in Copperas Cove filled the banquet room of Texas Land and Cattle in Killeen as they honored the board and officers for 2016 and set a new group of officers to take the reigns starting July 1.
“It feels great to give away money to organizations that do so much for the community,” President Dennis Ayres said. “The money for the donations came from Mayfest, which the club worked really hard on and it paid off. We raised 5,000 more dollars than last year. We give the money to organizations that are somehow connected to Child Abuse Prevention because that is the national project that all Exchange Clubs participate in. Next year, our goal is to give away even more money.”
Agencies receiving checks from the Noon Exchange Club included Hope Pregnancy Center ($5,000), Cove House ($1,000), Coryell County Child Welfare board ($2,000), AWARE Central Texas ($5,000), Communities in Schools ($2,000), Families in Crisis ($2,000), S.M.I.L.E ($1,000) CASA, ($3,000).
Accepting on behalf of the Coryell County Child Welfare Board was judge John Firth. The CCCWB provides for the needs of children placed in foster care within the county. These children receive little support from family and fosters parents receive much less from the state to provide for the children. The Child Welfare Board attempts to make up for this critical need.
“It takes and entire community to adequately provide the needed support for foster children,” said Firth. “As one of the important advocacies of the National Exchange Club the Copperas Cove Noon Exchange Club represents the very best from our community in support of children welfare.
Families in Crisis provides support and empowers people who experience family violence, sexual violence and homelessness.
“On behalf of the cliens and staff, we appreciate the support Noon Exchange Club has shown us over the years,” said Suzanne Armour. “We continue to provide these services thanks to the support of the Noon Exchange Club and interest.” Patricia Thomas of the club was selected as the Senior Citizen of the year for her volunteer efforts and Charles and Dorothy Lyons were selected as the Exchangeites of the year for their efforts with the Copperas Cove High School student led Excel Club.
“Dorothy and I are honored being recognized as the Noon Exchange Club Exchangites of the year,” Charles Lyons said. “The Noon Exchange Club has so many members who do great and wonderful things for the community who are also deserving of this award. This recognition is a testament to the accomplishments of a great group of young adults in the Excel Club. Dorothy and I owe this recognition to them.”
Incoming officers for the club are Inez Faison, President; Mike Blount as President elect; Marilynn Bell, Secretary; Sandy Blount, Treasurer and Susan Ayres, Vice President of Public Relations.