The Exchange Club of Hendricks County encourages patriotism with a new project.
“Our goal is to make Hendricks County the most patriotic county in the country,” said Rick Bowman, Exchange Club member and fundraising chair.
“We’ve allowed America to take a back seat to everything else,” Bowman said. “We need to step up and show our patriotism.”
The Exchange Club of Hendricks County has been meeting for more than a year and is about to celebrate its first year as a chartered club. The club’s main focuses are patriotism and preventing child abuse.
Recently, the club membership decided to try to make patriotism a top priority for Hendricks County residents.
“When 9/11 occurred we saw people flying their flags, but since then it has began to dwindle,” Bowman said. “We want to revive that by setting a good example.”
One way the club is trying to push patriotism is by selling Patriot Paks, which range in cost from $25 to $50. In each pak there are items that residents can use to show how much pride they have in America.
“The project was divine inspiration really,” Bowman said. “I was praying one morning about Exchange Club.”
Bowman had just taken over as the fundraising chair for the club.
“I was praying about what Exchange stands for and I thought of Americanism and patriotism,” he said. “That’s when I thought of the idea of the Patriot Paks and started putting the pieces together.”
The Gold Patriot Pak includes a nylon embroidered U.S. flag, Indiana flag, flag pole with mounting bracket, a “We support the Exchange Club” static window cling, a “Hendricks County Patriot” static window cling, a magnetic “Support Our Troops” ribbon, and deluxe Exchange Club pen set. Cost is $50.
The Silver Patriot Pak includes a nylon U.S. flag, flag pole with mounting bracket, a “We support the Exchange Club” static window cling, and a magnetic “Support Our Troops” ribbon. Cost is $35.
The Bronze Patriot Pak includes a nylon U.S. flag, flag pole with mounting bracket, and a “We support the Exchange Club” static window cling. Cost is $25.
Each option comes with either an indoor or outdoor mount.
Bowman said this project helps the club on two fronts. The first is raising funds for the club’s charitable activities and other is to encourage pride in America.
The club is already taking orders for the Patriot Paks, but will debut them at the Quaker Day Festival Sept. 29 and Oct. 1 in Plainfield. The club will have a booth where paks may be purchased or ordered. Club members will also offer free child safety information. The Exchange Club of Hendricks County booth will be in the merchants’ tent in the Al and Jan Barker Youth Athletic Complex at the corner of U.S. 40 and Vestal Road in Plainfield.
For more information about the Exchange Club of Hendricks County or on ordering the Patriot Paks, visit the club’s Facebook page or contact any Exchange Club member.
Bowman is an agent-owner of Avon Insurance Associates. To reach him with questions or to order, call 718-1747 or email rick@aia4LowRates.com.
brenda.holmes@flyergroup.com
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