The Richmond Hill Exchange Club presented donations to two local nonprofit groups and awarded its Student of the Month from Richmond Hill High School during its meeting Dec. 13.
Club President Steve Asplund first presented a check for $250 to Lisa Freeman of the Matthew Freeman Project, a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to the support of education in order to promote communities of promise, prosperity and peace throughout the world.
The organization was founded by Lisa and Gary Freeman and named after their son, Marine Capt. Matthew Freeman, who was killed in action in Afghanistan on in 2009,
Among the programs supported by the Project are scholarships to siblings of fallen military members either killed on deployment or loss due to combat-related suicide. They also provide stuffed bears to families who are mourning the loss of a fallen service member.
“The Freeman Fund is an example of the type of local organization that the Richmond Hill Exchange Club is proud to be able to assist in their good works,” said club member Lynn Bennett. “We look forward to being able to continue this type of community service, as we have for the past 33 years.”
Retired Army Col. Tony Justi of Wreaths for Warriors Walk was also on hand to receive a $250 donation from the Exchange Club. Their mission is to place a Christmas wreath at the tree of each fallen soldier along the Fort Stewart Warriors Walk.
“We are proud to be able to support organizations such as this,” Bennett said. “Americanism and remembering the sacrifice of our military is one of the primary aims of the Richmond Hill Exchange Club, and we are proud to recognize the good works of the Wreaths for Warriors Program.”
In other business, Students of the Month for November and December were announced. Logan Brown was named Student of the Month for November, and Jennifer Thorpe was named Student of the Month for December.
For over 30 years, the Exchange Club has presented Student of the Month awards to outstanding seniors at Richmond Hill High School. Awards are given September through April of each year and are based on academic performance, community involvement, leadership and all-around excellence. Each monthly winner is presented a check for $100.
In May of each year, the Student of the Year is chosen from the monthly winners and given a plaque and a check for $1,000 during RHHS Honors Night.
“The Exchange Club appreciates the support and assistance of the administration and counselors of RHHS in helping us recognize some of their most outstanding students,” Bennett said. “Special thanks goes to our Exchange Club member Laura Evans for organizing our Student of the Month and Student of the Year program again this year.”