INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Exchange Club of Indian River presented its Proudly We Hail award to Greene River Packing, Inc. of Vero Beach on June 16 at its weekly luncheon meeting at Culinary Capers Catering. Andrew Molloy, chair of the Proudly We Hail committee, made the presentation of a special plaque depicting the Pledge of Allegiance in honor of the award to Mike Mercatell, Greene River’s operations manager. The American flag that flies over their packing company at 2075 38th Avenue is visible from one mile away. Mercatell, a 23-year employee of the firm, spoke highly of the Greene family and the respect they display for the flag.
Proudly We Hail is a special Americanism award presented annually by Exchange Clubs throughout the country. It honors individuals, businesses, and institutions for outstanding and ongoing patriotic display of the American flag. Other Exchange Club projects to promote Americanism include Freedom Shrine installations, Get Out the Vote, One Nation Under God, and Project GiveAKidAFlagToWave.
Exchange Club of Indian River meets for lunch at Culinary Capers each Wednesday at noon. Meetings feature programs on a wide range of business, government and civic, charity, personal, and professional topics. It provides the community with programs in youth activities, service, and Americanism.
Through participation in its national project, the Prevention of Child Abuse, the Exchange Club of Indian River’s Foundation supports a number of local youth-related charities. Its major fundraisers include the Annual Exchange Club Blue Water Open “Dolphin Mania” Charity Fishing Tournament held each May and the Winner-Fest Raffle held in December.
Further information about the Club is available from Andrew Molloy, 2010-2011 Exchange Club president, at 772-473-4416 and at the club’s websites, www.exchangeclubofindianriver.org and www.bluewateropen.org.