The Exchange Club of Austin Receives Lighthouse Award
RecognizeGood is proud to announce the latest Lighthouse Award honoree, The Exchange Club of Austin! The 100% volunteer-supported club was formed in May 1924. Over the next 91 years has made a tremendous impact on Central Texas. Although for years and years The Exchange Club supported Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, local police and first responders, the Salvation Army, multiple child protective agencies and local students in need of scholarships, undoubtedly the club’s most notable gift has been the iconic Zilker Kite Festival. Originally established in 1929 with the goal of encouraging creativity in children, the festival – the longest-running kite festival in the country – now represents Austin’s largest non-alcoholic, non-music free event and typically draws about 20,000 attendees. The Exchange Club is not a large group – less than 30 total members. But through sheer willpower and incredible dedication the team has managed to develop and present this massive event.
2015 – 2016 President Billy Johnson accepted the award on behalf of his amazing organization in a presentation during the club’s regular weekly meeting at the Holiday Inn on Middle Fiskville. Bobby Jenkins, RecognizeGood founding board member and president of kite festival sponsor ABC Home & Commercial Services, presented an award plaque, two tickets to the 2016 Ethics in Business & Community Award luncheon, along with a donation to PET-Austin in the club’s name. RecognizeGood has also dedicated a PET (Personal Energy Transportation) vehicle in the club’s name. This recognition represented a sincere “Thank you!” from the Central Texas community for decades of selfless service.
The RecognizeGood Lighthouse Award recognizes the selfless community efforts and philanthropy of Austin-area service clubs. By highlighting “special” organizations, we believe that we will inspire others to make our community a better place. Award nominees may be sent to recognize@recognizegood.com, and are voted on by a selection committee according to the following criteria:
- Length of Service
- Magnitude of Service
- Special One-Time Event
This is the eighth RecognizeGood Lighthouse Award for Austin-area service organization. Previous award winners include Sertoma of Round Rock, Rotary Club of Lakeway / Lake Travis, Austin Downtown Founders Lions Club, Town & Country Optimists Club, Northwest Austin Kiwanis, Round Rock Kiwanis, and Junior League of Austin. Thanks to Lighthouse program sponsor iRex Group, Ltd. for their generosity and active support of this program!
