Albany Exchange Club seeks corporate sponsors

ALBANY — The Albany Exchange Club, one of the city’s most well-known and respected service clubs, spends most of its time helping other organizations or honoring people within the community who selflessly serve. But the club that gives so much now needs a little help.

According to Exchange Club President Gary Knight, the club is seeking long-term sponsorships from corporations and businesses across South Georgia who are willing to partner with the charitable organization.

“I don’t think people realize that the Exchange Club donates to 27 different organizations and that we support the police force and we support the paramedics and the fire department,” Knight said. “You know, what drew me to the Exchange Club is that it is much more than just a simple civic club. The Exchange Club is a service club. We do projects. In fact, we do a lot of projects, and that is why we need some long-term partners.”

Knight explained that it was through various fundraising “projects” hosted by the Exchange Club that the organization was able to give so much back to the community.

“Some of our projects include the Deputy Dawg Golf Tournament, various corn hole tournaments and a breakfast with Santa, just to name a few,” Knight said. “All of these are not only community activities, but they are also fundraisers that we use, as a service organization, to raise money to give out to others. That is one of the main reasons I like the Exchange Club so much and enjoy doing it.”

Knight explained that his sentiments were shared by all club members, many of whom volunteer countless hours and even dedicate entire vacations, donating their time to the club.

“One of the questions we ask prospective members, in a very nice way, is ‘Are you willing to work?’” Knight said. “We have a lot of Exchange-ites who take off a whole week during the fair, using their entire vacation, spending 10 to 12 hours per day out there working. We are a club that works hard to help this community, and we are looking to work even harder.”

Knight went on to explain that the club, in an effort to increase charitable activities, was looking for corporate sponsors and financial backers who want to invest in Albany.

“As part of our long-term fundraising goals, we are looking for some large sponsors to be involved with many of the different tournaments and events we have, such as the fair and others,” Knight said. “Essentially, we are looking for partners/sponsors to help us give more back to this amazing community. We are hopeful that some of the area’s leading industries will partner with us and commit to sponsorship for many years to come.”

According to Knight, the Exchange Club gives out more than $50,000 annually to various charities in the local area, but he hopes, with new long-term sponsorship, that number will double or even triple.

For more information or to become a sponsor, call the Albany Exchange Club at (229) 434-1405.