EXCHANGE CLUB IN GIVING MOOD —YEAR ROUND City’s most visible service club is at forefront of many Culver City events

HO-HO-HA-HA—Exchange Club member John Cohn does his best Santa’s Helper impression as he presents gifts to children during Tuesday night’s Culver City Exchange Club’s Christmas party at the CC Elks Lodge. Shadae Johnson, 3, is the child on the lap of Santa, who is ably portrayed by fellow Exchange Club member, Jay Shery. The holiday events featured gift-giving to children, food, entertainment by CCUSD handbell choirs, and a visit by CCPD Santa Sleigh. Photo by Gary Kohatsu

By
Gary Luster
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By Gary Luster

The Culver City Exchange Club will engage in its annual purchase of gifts for the students who are part of its backpack for kids program.  The gift purchases will be made at Target in Culver City on Friday, Dec. 21.

Tasha Lowitz of the Culver City Exchange Club said the 160 students in their backpack program, covering all elementary and middle schools, will receive gifts for the holiday season. Elementary students will receive toys while the middle school students will receive gift cards.  High school students who are part of the Exchange Club’s food pantry program will also receive gift cards.

This year marks the third year of the program, which Lowitz is funded by a special donation.

“We get a donation of about $3,000 from an anonymous donor and then we go and buy whatever gifts we need for the backpack program,” Lowitz said. “Each member gets a list and we go and buy the gifts. Then we distribute them.”

On Tuesday, the CC Exchange Club hosted a special Christmas event at the Culver City Elks Club that featured the students of the backpack program meeting and spending some holiday time with Santa Claus.

The Culver City Exchange Club is comprised of members who reside, own businesses or work in Culver City. The organization provides financial assistance for community-based organizations such as the Culver-Palms YMCA, Culver City Little League, Culver City High School Athletics, Culver City Youth Health Center, and the Culver City Senior Center.

The CC Exchange Club raises gives about $20,000 per year in scholarships to high school and community college students that are part of its programs.

Membership in the CC Exchange Club is open to all persons who either live or work in the local area. The cost of membership is a low monthly dues payment which includes weekly lunches at the Elks Lodge.

Each member is expected to work on one or more of the local community service projects conducted by the club (e.g., Annual Search for Talent Show, 4th of July Fireworks Show, Get Out the Vote projects, Senior Citizen dinners, etc.).

For more information on this weekend’s Target gift purchase event or on the CC Exchange Club, call (310) 499-4840.

 

 

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