Clubs make things happen in Picayune.

People in civic clubs come from all walks of life. They meet either weekly or monthly and pursue many beneficial endeavors. Many times their efforts benefit the local community, and sometimes it reaches an expanded geographical area.

The Exchange Club of Picayune is one of these clubs. The Exchange Club was recently awarded the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce Civic Club of the Year award in 2013 at the Chamber’s annual awards banquet.

The club is comprised of community leaders from Picayune and works hard throughout the year on behalf of abused children and those in need. Its most recent achievement comes from the $10,000 it donated to the Life Resource Center in Picayune’s Industrial Park. The donation will help fund a forensic interview room for abused children.

The club also encourages patriotism and awards certificates to businesses and families who display the flag properly.

Past president Joey Temples, explained a little about the group.

“The Exchange Club of Picayune was chartered in January of 2007 and is one of 700 Exchange Clubs nationwide,” Temple said. “Commitment to the community is the focal point of the club’s efforts. The Exchange Club sponsors activities designed to benefit, award, and develop our nation’s youth, promote crime prevention, serve senior citizens, and recognize military and public safety service providers. The Exchange Club also promotes Americanism projects as well as its National Project, the prevention of child abuse.”

Most people are familiar with the group because of their exposure hosting the Annual Chili Cook-off at the Picayune Street Fair, but there are many ways that the group reaches out to the community.

Some of their past local projects have included:

1. Donations of equipment and money to battered women & children’s facilities.

2. Monetary donations to a local non-profit organization that sponsors after school and summer youth programs.

3. Multiple food drives that supported local food pantries.

4. Americanism projects that recognized local businesses and local residents for properly displaying the American flag.

5. Sent care packages to U.S. service members in Afghanistan.

6. Annual adopt-a-needy family for Christmas projects.

7. Recognized and provided scholarships to local high school seniors through their Youth of the Month and Ace Award programs.

8. Donated funds to the Picayune Police Dept. Senior Patrol.

8. Donated $10,000.00 to the Life Resource Center in Picayune’s Industrial Park, to fund a forensic interview room for abused children.

The club is always looking for new members. If you have found yourself in this new year looking for a way to get involved in the community, the Exchange Club is inviting you to join them at one of their Wednesday meetings, which are held at noon at the New Buffet City restaurant next to Resurrection Life on Memorial Boulevard in Picayune.  All interested in joining Exchange are welcome to attend meetings.