Courtesy Photo Pictured are members of the newly formed Wildcat Exchange Excel Club of Alpena High School, sponsored by the Exchange Club of Alpena, during their first meeting. Joining the club members are Thomas Karnes, Thomas Berriman, Shawn Ballor, Tony Suszek, and Ray Reynolds.

The National Exchange Club is proud to announce a new club in the Alpena community.

The Wildcat Exchange Excel Club of Alpena High School was officially chartered on Jan. 9, with 20 members. Charter members include Damon Adams, Hunter Ballor, Alicia Ballor, Brianna Boyk, Evan Carlson, Gabe Bullis, Briley Carstens, Maddie Erickson, Dylan Fleck, Sawyer Haugarud, Thomas Jore, Christina LaCross, Kate Kurowski, Malley McGuire, Calynn Schaeding, Griffin Sexton, Savannah Servia, Ava Shriner, Samantha Tadian, and Carina Whitlow.

The new club will serve the community through Exchange’s Programs of Service — Americanism, Community Service, and Youth Programs — as well as the organization’s National Project, child abuse prevention.

The new club was sponsored by the Exchange Club of Alpena, and built by Ray Reynolds, Tony Suszek and Shawn Ballor. The official appointment, known as the Permanent Organizational Meeting, was performed by Past National Exchange Club President Thomas Karnes of the Exchange Clubs of Lincoln Park, Trenton and Detroit #1, Mich. This is the third Excel Club in Michigan; the others are in Lincoln Park and Marshall.

“Alpena is a wonderful community and members of the Wildcat Exchange Excel Club of Alpena High School are excited to give back to their neighbors through service,” said Shawn Ballor. “The Exchange Club of Alpena is dedicated to upholding Exchange’s Programs of Service and National Project, and to inspire Alpena to become an even better place to live.”

On Thursday, Jan. 10, the Wildcat Exchange Club of Alpena High School was officially recognized at the National Exchange Club headquarters in Toledo, Ohio. The name of the club was displayed on the digital sign outside of the headquarters and the State of Michigan flag flew over the headquarters.

For additional information about the Wildcat Exchange Excel Club of Alpena High School, including details about how to become a member, contact Shawn Ballor at 989-245-1777.

The National Exchange Club was founded in March 1911 in Detroit, and is headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. Exchange is America’s oldest service club with more than 650 clubs and nearly 20,000 members throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The organization’s vision — “A strong America, safe communities, and unified people,” and mission statement — “Exchange, inspiring communities to become better places to live,” are carried out through its Programs of Service — Americanism, Youth, and Community Service — as well as the National Project, the prevention of child abuse.

For additional information about The National Exchange Club, visit www.NationalExchangeClub.org.