Noon Exchange Club holds April 27 meeting

Special to Leader-Press

The Noon Exchange Club of Copperas Cove met on April 27 at Lil Tex Restaurant. President Mike Blount called the meeting to order. During the opening announcements, the Mayfest 5K Planning Committee shared details about the Mayfest 5K Color Run taking place on May 12 at Ogletree Gap starting at 8 a,m. The run will raise funds and awareness for the prevention of child abuse in Central Texas. Awards will be given to runners in select categories. The first 100 runners registered will receive a 5K Color Run t-shirt. Festivities will also include food vendors, entertainment, photo booth, and car show. Participants can pre-register on-line at www.mayfest2018.myevent.com for $35. Registration at site is $40. The club will be selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a 55” Smart TV, $300 Family Pack Schitterbahn water park tickets, one year of Cinergy movie tickets, and more. Raffle tickets are ten dollars, and the winner does not need to be present to win. 
Next, the club discussed the upcoming Young Citizenship Award Presentation. Each year, the Noon Exchange Club of Copperas Cove recognizes Copperas Cove Junior High and S.C. Lee Junior High students during the campus end of the year award ceremonies for demonstrating quality conduct and for excelling in the areas of citizenship, attitude, academics, character, and leadership. These students will receive a certificate and a $25 gift card. Also, the club will pass out miniature American flags to all who attend the ceremony as part of “Give a kid a flag” Americanism project which the club sponsors each year.  
Following the announcements, Child Abuse Protective Agency Investigator Alice Walker served as presenter discussing the many duties of a CPS Investigator and offered examples of possible solutions to keep the families intact. Walker, who assists in an extensive amount of child abuse cases per month, shared proactive services offered through CPA that often includes parental training and anger management classes. Walker also listed her extensive interaction with other agencies that support children in foster care. 
The meeting closed with the scholarship auction held by Past President Inez Faison, and the reading of the Covenant of Service led by Joshua Threat. The Noon Exchange Club of Copperas Cove meets the second and fourth Friday of each month. The next meeting is scheduled for May 11. For more information contact President Mike Blount at (254) 547-6706.