History Exchange Club of North Jackson

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE EXCHANGE CLUB OF NORTH JACKSON, MS

The Exchange Club of North Jackson was sponsored by The Exchange Club of Leavell Woods. Sponsoring Committeemen from Leavell Woods were Roe Fly, Jr. and Walter Bivins. The permanent organization meeting was February 21, 1958. The Club Charter Meeting was held April 18, 1958, at the King Edwards Hotel. There were 47 charter members.
The Club has been recognized by the Mississippi District and National Exchange Club for dedication and achievement. In 1966, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1998,2005, and 2006, the Club qualified for and received the National Exchange Club "Big E" award. The Club was honored with National Service Awards in 1962, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998,1999,2000, 2001,2002,2003,2004,2005, and 2006. In 1998, the MS District of Exchange Clubs awarded the Club the Billy Joe Sills Spirit of Exchange Award. In 1982 and 1986, our Club received the National Membership Award. The National Exchange Club Distinguished Club Secretary Award was received by Billy Joe Sills in 1980, 1981, 1983 and 1984; John Covington in 1985, 1986, 1996, 1997 and 1998; Steve Breazeale in 1991; and another member in 1988. The National Exchange Club Distinguished Club President Award was received by Gary Dickens in 1984, and George Turpin in 1986. The Outstanding District Director Award was received by Ken Sullivan in 1986, and John Covington in 1989. The National Exchange Club Distinguished Club Treasurer Award was received by Dale Anderson in 1996 and 1997; Zack Gibson in 1998 and another member in 1993.

The Exchange Club of North Jackson has sponsored several new Exchange Clubs. These Clubs include The Exchange Club of Northwoods, The Exchange Club of Richland, The Exchange Club of the Reservoir Area and The Exchange Club of Madison-Ridgeland and the Exchange Club of Louisville. In 1979 and 2006, the Club was recognized by the National Exchange Club with the New Club Building Award.

Over the years since our Club was chartered, thousands of dollars have been raised by our members. Contributions are made to our community in Club projects such as sponsoring boys and girls baseball and softball teams, camps for underprivileged, handicapped youth, Boy Scouts, City of Jackson Boys Clubs, Junior Achievement, financial aide for children at French Camp Academy, college scholarships; the Jeff Carter Memorial Scholarship awarded to handicapped youth, the Brunner M. Huddleston Scholarship awarded annually to a Senior from French Camp Academy and the Club's Youth of the Year, financial and other aide to destitute families in the North Jackson area and through the Exchange Club Parent Child Center. Our Club raised funds for and helped purchase a kidney dialysis machine which was donated to the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

This Club was instrumental in setting up and establishing Mississippi Blood Services. Billy Joe Sills served on the Board of Directors for Mississippi Blood Services. The Club commissioned a state artist, Katherine (Speed) Ettl of Jackson, to construct a bronze bust of former Governor of Mississippi, Thomas L. Bailey. Bailey of Meridian was also a National Exchange Club President and Author of the National Exchange Club Covenant of Service. The Club presented the bust of Former Governor Bailey to the State of Mississippi to be permanently displayed at the State Capitol Building.

The Club raised funds for, constructed and donated to the City of Jackson, the Precinct Four Police headquarters building at 4940 Old Canton Road. Each year, since February 1982, our Club has sponsored a banquet to recognize the Mississippi District Exchange/Mississippi Department of Public Safety Trooper of the Year. This award is known as the Brunner M. Huddleston Trooper of the Year Award.

The Club provided considerable funding for the construction of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum. The park at the museum's Smith Wills Stadium entrance was constructed with funding donated by the Exchange Club of North Jackson.

From this brief history it should be evident The Exchange Club of North Jackson is not a so called "knife and fork Club". We are in fact a conscientious group of members who have worked diligently and effectively for the betterment of our fellow citizens and our community.