Child Abuse Prevention

Since 1979, when Exchange adopted Child Abuse Prevention as its National program, clubs across America have been working to help diminish the tragedy of abuse through a wide variety of worthwhile activities.

Establishing an Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center is one of the most meaningful ways in which a club can participate in our national project. Exchange Club centers utilize professionally trained parent aides who work directly with abusing parents and their children. This unique approach has achieved impressive results in preventing abuse, enabling numerous children to live lives free of constant fear and pain.

There have been four Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Centers established within the State of Connecticut commencing in the 1980s.

Here in Danbury, the Exchange Club of Danbury has supported the Danbury Regional Child Advocacy Center, formally know as the Danbury Regional Commission on Child Care Rights and Abuse for over 15 years, and most recently has also contributed to Family and Children's Aid, Inc.

Veteran's Recognition Program
Click here for the story about the 2008 Veterans Program

Thirty years ago, the Exchange Club of Danbury ventured on a new program called Veteran's Recognition. At that time, the Old 8th Co. veterans from World War 1 were invited to dinner and a special patriotic program.

After a few years, the American Citizenship committee felt that proper recognition should be afforded to all veterans, men and women, who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States.

This Program truly displays "love of country" and continues to be one of the most popular events of our Exchange year. It exemplifies the inner feelings of all Exchangites: Love of God, Love of Family and Love of Country.

Proudly We Hail

In 1976, our club began to sponsor a beautiful new program - "Proudly We Hail". Simply, each member of our club is a member of this committee. Each Exchangite keeps a "sharp eye" and submits individual names or places of business who display the American flag proudly and regularly.

The recipients are invited to a special program in their honor and presented with an engraved attractive plaque. To date over 120 plaques have been presented.

Giveakidaflagtowave

On Memorial Day, 1981, our members marched in the annual parade and distributed 1,000 American flags to children to promote and perpetuate "patriotism" in the "Giveakidaflagtowave" Program.

Twenty seven years have passed and our members continue this excellent program. At the parade on May 26, 2008 we distributed 4,500 flags to the children watching the parade. Over 70,000 flags have been given to children representing the "true spirit" of patriotism.

Young Citizenship Award

The Young Citizenship Award was established in May of 1996 and honors pre-high school students who daily demonstrate good citizenship both at school and at home. It does not necessarily seek to salute academic or athletic performers. Instead, the program is designed to recognize and encourage youngsters who, although perhaps not at the head of their class, are honest, hard working, helpful and fair.

In practice, the Young Citizenship Award provides classroom teachers with an effective tool to further motivate promising students. It also provides Exchangites with an enjoyable opportunity to supply the encouragement that can be so vitally important in shaping the characters of youngsters at an impressionable time in their lives.

While the recipients are selected by classroom teachers, the Exchange Club is responsible for providing the awards and promoting the program in the community.

The Exchange Club of Danbury has for these many years bestowed this award on a deserving student from Broadview Middle School and Rogers Park Middle School. In May of 2008 this program was expanded to include the Parochial Middle Schools of Saint Joseph, Saint Gregory the Great, Saint Peter/Sacred Heart and Immanuel Lutheran.

Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts)/Gold Award (Girl Scouts)

In January of each year the Danbury Exchange Club honors Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who have achieved the highest awards in Scouting. All of the recipients in a given year are invited to a dinner in their honor to salute their achievements. Each recipient is awarded an engraved plaque and asked to speak about their special program. This dinner is attended by their Scout Masters, Family and members of the Exchange Club.

One Nation Under God Program

The One Nation Under God Program was adopted on July 30, 1964, by Exchange Leaders seeking to heighten awareness of our rich religious heritage. November, observed nationally as One Nation Under God Month, is a special time of year when Exchangites join together to increase public appreciation of the important roles religious faith and freedom have played in our nation's history. The aims of the program are to build greater respect for the Pledge of Allegiance; promote increased use of the Pledge in schools and at public gatherings; combat all efforts to remove the words "under God" from the Pledge; encourage and promote religious services by local churches on Thanksgiving Day or Thanksgiving eve; promote attendance at such services to members and non members alike; prayerfully thank God for the blessings of liberty bestowed on America.

Youth of the Month/Year

One of the most popular of the Exchange's youth programs, the Youth of the Month/Year Award, recognizes industrious high school students who attain high levels of scholastic achievement, community involvement, and leadership. This proven program not only rewards outstanding young people, but also provides an incentive to other youngsters to strive for equally high levels of achievement. In addition to the above qualification, each student is asked to write an essay on a pre-selected subject pertaining to current events.

The Exchange Club of Danbury has been conducting the Youth of the Month/Year for over 25 years.

Each year, we honor at a dinner meeting, a Youth of the Month student from the following schools: The Alternative Center for Excellence, Henry Abbott Technical High School, Danbury High School (two students), Immaculate High School and the Wooster School.

From these six students, a Youth of the Year candidate is selected to represent The Exchange Club of Danbury at the District Level.

The winner of the District competition then represents the Connecticut District at the National Level. Danbury has won the District Award six times.

Freedom Shrine

Developed by the National Exchange Club, the Freedom Shrine originated from the Freedom Train that toured the nation in 1947 carrying an exhibit of historic documents. The purpose of the Freedom Shrine is twofold. It puts before young Americans proof that the freedom and greatness we enjoy today were not purchased easily and reminds them that these gifts must be cherished and protected. Painstakingly researched to guarantee absolute authenticity, the 28 historical American documents that comprise the Shrine were carefully chosen to exemplify the beginnings of our nation and those subsequent turning points of importance which shaped our national character and eminence. The documents of the Shrine, although culled from the past, represent foundation stones which permit the present, as we know it, to exist and the future, as we dream it, to be attainable.

Thousands of Shrines have been dedicated throughout the United States and Puerto Rico in universities, libraries, schools, state capitals, city halls and at American outposts scattered throughout the world.

The Freedom Shrine is an impressive, permanently mounted collection of 30 of the most important and historic American documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the united States and the Gettysburg Address. They show our nation's youth the strength and courage of their forefathers by allowing them to read, with their own eyes, the immortal words of inspired Americans who so decisively changed the course of history.

The Danbury Exchange Club over many years established the Freedom Shrines in most of our elementary and secondary schools as well as Danbury City Hall.

Book of Golden Deeds

Volunteer efforts are very important to our society and should not go unnoticed. The National Exchange Club's longest running program, the Book of Golden Deeds Award, recognizes dedicated volunteers who give endless hours of their time and talents towards making their communities better places to live. Ever since the Exchange Club of Huntington, Indiana, sponsored the first award in 1919, thousands of unsung heroes and heroines have been recognized.

Honoring a fellow citizen with the Book of Golden Deeds Award is a heartwarming and inspiring act not only for the honoree, but for any Exchange Club. The Book of Golden Deeds Award exemplifies the National Exchange Club's efforts and ideals.

Some of those from our community to be so honored are: Dr. Ruth Haas, Michael Seri, The Tricentenial Committee, Carl Burdick, Don Melillo, David Treadwell, Joe Pepin and Joe DaSilva.

Police Officer/Firefighter of the Year Program
Click here for the story about the 2008 "Firefighter of the Year"

In early October each year the Exchange Club of Danbury pays tribute to a firefighter from the Danbury Fire Department. This individual is selected by the fire chief for his or hers outstanding service to their community. The recipient is honored at a dinner which is attended by family, friends, fellow firefighters and members of the Exchange Club. In 2007 this program was extended to the town of Bethel where a recipient is chosen from the Bethel Volunteer Fire Company and the Stony Hill Volunteer Company. The recipients are also invited to the Connecticut District Exchange Club's "Salute To Connecticut's Bravest" dinner where they join firefighters from across the State to receive recognition for their service.

In early May of each year the Exchange Club of Danbury pays tribute to a police officer from the Danbury Department. This individual is selected by the chief of police for his or hers outstanding service to their community. The recipient is honored at a dinner which is attended by family, friends, fellow police officers and members of the Exchange Club. In 2007 this program was extended to the town of Bethel where a recipient is selected by the chief of police for his or hers outstanding service to their community. The recipients are also invited to the Connecticut District Exchange Club's "Salute to Connecticut's Finest" dinner where they join police officers from across the State to receive recognition for their service.