By Marylou Bride
As the fall season approaches, the Exchange Club is gearing up for a series of exciting events and initiatives aimed at enriching the community and supporting various causes. Don Koveliski, president of the club, Andy Conder, vice-president, and Theresa Koveliski talked with the NFH about the upcoming events and the nonprofits they support.
A variety of nonprofit organizations will benefit from the Exchange Club activities. Among them are Kid Power of Colorado Springs, the Eastern Plains Community Pantry and the Eastern Plains Career Accelerator alternative high school in Calhan. The EPCA program needs tools for a new wood shop. Another nonprofit they work with is Rocky Mountain Inclusive Connection, which Koveliski said started a year ago to help people with emotional, mental and physical disabilities. They work with people age 18 to 35, Koveliski said. Conder said, “They teach socialization, living skills, help them be on their own. They schedule events at different venues like a bank (where the people learn about finances) or an ice cream shop (where they learn how to serve ice cream). It’s a Christian-based nonprofit.” Theresa Koveliski said they provide school supplies for Hope & Home, a foster care program. “We generally go and buy school supplies for Hope & Home, but we couldn’t do it this year so we sent them a check,” she said. They also help Lutheran Family Services with funds for their yearly foster family picnic.
The Falcon Craft Fair
The big event of the fall is the Exchange Club’s 15th annual Falcon Craft Fair, which takes place Oct. 5 and Oct. 6 at Falcon High School, 10255 Lambert Road. Vendor fees will benefit the various charities that the club supports. On Saturday, the fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; on Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We have 80 vendors who have signed up, and we have a waiting list,” Koveliski said. The vendors will offer a diverse array of products, including paintings, jewelry, homemade candles, homemade baked goods, jams and jellies — and much more. A silent auction will be part of the fair as well. The event will be supported by volunteers from the Exchange Club and the community; they will assist vendors with a Friday night setup and ensure everything runs smoothly over the weekend. There is no charge for the fair but attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food and/or clothing. The Culinary students at Patriot High School will provide breakfast and lunch on Saturday and lunch on Sunday.
Quarterly Highway Cleanup
Community members are invited to join the Exchange Club’s quarterly highway cleanup on Sept. 21 to help keep the roadsides clean and beautiful. Volunteers will gather to tackle a 2-mile stretch of Falcon Highway, east and west between Meridian Road and Good Fortune Road. The volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. on E. Blaney Road and Meridian Road. For further information, see contacts below.
Veterans Parade
The annual Veterans Parade will take place Nov. 2 in downtown Colorado Springs. The Exchange Club invites the Cub Scouts and the American Heritage girls to join them and the club provides 2 to 3,000 flags for the two groups to hand out before the parade.“We call it, ‘Give a kid a flag to wave,’”Koveliski said.
First Annual Murder Mystery Dinner (Save the date)
In a new venture, the Exchange Club will host its inaugural Murder Mystery Dinner at Stillwaters Ranch on Feb. 15, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. The event will feature a dinner catered by the culinary department of Patriot High School, and Red Herring Productions in Colorado Springs will act out the murder mystery while each table tries to solve the murder. The venue holds only 80 people so watch for more details as the date gets closer. The Exchange Club currently seeking sponsors to help cover the costs and ensure a successful event.
The Exchange Club has been active since 1911 and welcomes new members. There are currently 16 members, with a goal to expand that figure. Membership dues are $12 a month.
For more information on these events or to get involved:
- Don Koveliski (President) at 719-369-5158
- Andy Conder (Vice President of Operations/Membership) at aconder54@msn.com
Stay tuned for updates and be sure to mark your calendars for these community events!
