Current Projects |
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| Blue & Gold Wounded in Service | Dear Santa Project |
| Junior Exchange Club | Freedom Shrine |
| Young Citizenship Awards |
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It doesn't take much time to make an impact on your community.
With just about an hour a week, aside from lunch meetings, you will have enough time to participate in every aspect of the San Jose Exchange Club's
program of service. There may be some weeks that you won't be involved in a particular project, and there may be a project in which you are
especially interested and willing to spend many hours toward its success. Your time is your own, and volunteering can become
a part of your life's schedule without much effort. Membership in a club gives you the economy of team effort, but the rewards of the project
are yours. You need only choose to get involved.
ARC Christmas Party
Every year since 1973,
club members, their family and friends gather to prepare a holiday dinner with
all the trimmings for the benefit of At Risk Children from shelters and residential
facilities in San Jose. The day begins in the kitchen with preparing and stuffing
the turkeys for the 200 guests expected that evening. In the afternoon the rest
of the meal is prepared and the hall decorated. The guests arrive to a festive
hall filled with the aroma of great food. When the turkeys come out of the ovens,
the feast begins. The evening is filled with games, Christmas carols and a visit
from Santa. The project is a Club favorite and is always a great success.
Photo Gallery
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Giveakidaflagtowave
There is something about waving the ol' red, white and blue which
appeals to kids. In an effort to spawn patriotism in young children, the San Jose Exchange Club distributes flags to children at various parades,
Civic events and Fourth of July celebrations. Children love to see and touch the flag up close; we like to believe that this will enable
them to feel a connection to the flag and to explore the meaning of our nation's
greatest symbol. It's a funny name for a fun project which
means a lot to all
of us.
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Blue & Gold: Wounded in Service Award
The Blue & Gold Wounded in Service Award was conceived over
twenty years ago in Mobile, Alabama, in
an effort to pay the highest possible tribute to those law enforcement officers
who, in the line of
duty, have paid severe and, in some cases, the ultimate
price to serve and protect their fellow citizens.
The program's success and importance was brought to the attention of the Board
of Directors of The National Exchange Club who 
recognized
that such an award would be of immense benefit to other communities throughout
the United States. It is a powerful reminder of the terrible sacrifices which
some brave men and women make to uphold the law and protect our community.
Our purpose for the Exchange Blue & Gold Wounded in Service Award is to
further enhance the public's level of respect, admiration,
and appreciation
for the severe sacrifices which law enforcement officers frequently make in
the line of duty.
The qualifications for the Blue & Gold Award are simple, yet severe. A man
or woman may be considered for the award if he or
she is an official member
in good standing of a certified law enforcement agency and is injured in the
line of duty. Obviously, the
circumstances surrounding the injury are important.
Although the nature and severity of the injury is a factor, the manner in which the injury
is received is the first benchmark of eligibility.
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Dear Santa Project
Every year thousands of underprivileged children send letters to
Santa during the holidays. These letters are filled with wishes as basic as shoes or clothing. Unfortunately, due to the vast number of
letters, the U.S. Post Office's Santa Central cannot respond to all the letters. This year, the Exchange Club of San Jose is organizing
community members to help respond to the letters. Volunteers can sign up to read and sort through the letters, placing them into
different categories based on the need and special requests of the children. Once the letters are sorted, other volunteers will resopnd to
the some of the letters with a letter back from Santa thanking the child for the letter. Some volunteers may choose to respond to a particularly
needy letter by purchasing a gift for the child - it may be the gift the child requested, or some other gift that will help spread the special
gift of giving.
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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. Painstakingly researched to
guarantee absolute authenticity, the 28 historical American documents that comprised 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.
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Junior Exchange Club
The San Jose Exchange Club
sponsors and mentors the Junior Exchange Club of Yerba Buena High School. As
members of the Junior Exchange Club, these Exchangites serve their communities,
develop valuable leadership and networking skillls. The students, with the help
of their school advisor, Grace Maestas, lead the club, decide on how to serve
their school and community, and implement the projects they've decided on. Their
annual projects include:
Preparing Thanksgiving Baskets for the needy
The ARC Christmas party
The Silicon Valley Walk-for-Aids
Easter Baskets for the needy, and various fundraisers
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Young Citizenship Awards
Presented in association
with the schools to two Jr. High School students for their excellence in citizenship,
leadership, attitude and academics.
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Sunshine Special
A special planned event
twice a year for disadvantaged children in Santa Clara County.
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Prevention of Child Abuse
The National Exchange Club project is to support child abuse prevention efforts and our nationwide network of nearly 100 Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Centers. One source of revenue is through our vehicle donation program, C.A.R.S. (Children Are Really Special). Unwanted vehicles can be donated by calling 1-888-GETMYCAR.
If you are interested in more information
regarding the Exchange Club of San Jose, feel free to drop by one of our weekly
meetings held every Tuesday
at 12:15 p.m. at the the Park Plaza Hotel, located at
1355 North Fourth Street, just north of the 880 overpass.
You can also contact Rob Nuddleman at 408-293-6341 or send us an e-mail