Each Club meeting includes a meal at Jackson’s Cafeteria, but for this meeting there was also a large birthday cake decorated in honor of the Club’s service to the community.  Special Exchange dignitaries in attendance included Past NC District 7 Director Cotton Ketchie, Current NC District 7 Director Scott Haynes and the 2010-2011 NC District President Vickie Ketchie.

Vickie Ketchie thanked the Shelby Exchange Club for its years of service to Cleveland County and for its active support of the NC District.  She recognized the four active Club members who have also served as district directors.

Shelby Club President Lib Grayson recognized the six active Club members who were also founding members of the Shelby Club in 1972.  Those members are Steve Costner, Gene Webber, Bobby Raines, Paul Jolley, Buford Ellis, and Cleatus Hunsinger.

The Club provides financial support to a number of local organizations, but is best known for its youth scholarships.  For over 30 years, the Club sponsored the Youth of the Month and Youth of the Year scholarship.  Most recently, the Club sponsors the A.C.E. Award Scholarship.  The scholarships go to eight students.  Two graduating seniors are selected from each Cleveland County high school.  The primary fundraiser supporting these programs is the roasted peanuts the Club sells at the Cleveland County Fair every year.

The Exchange Club of Shelby is a civic club serving all of Cleveland County.  Club members volunteer to make our community a better place to live through service programs in Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities, and the Prevention of Child Abuse.  Exchange meets at 6:30pm on the second and fourth Monday of each month at Jackson’s Cafeteria in Shelby.