NAPERVILLE, IL, USA, December 27, 2013 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Naperville Exchange Club will distribute $548,000 to Naperville area non-profits for their community projects to eliminate child abuse and domestic violence. After reviewing over 90 projects, Allocations Committee Chair Diane Simmons and her committee identified 52 groups to be included in this year’s allocation generated from the proceeds of Ribfest. , Through Ribfest, the Exchange Club will have donated more than $14 million to local agencies whose primary function is to combat the effects of and to endeavor to eliminate child abuse and domestic violence.

“We were glad we could raise this amount of money in such a difficult economy,” said 2013 Ribfest Chair Marty Walker. Exchange Club President Dawn Portner echoed those comments, saying, “We are proud to help groups such as Project Help, Families Helping Families and the Edward Foundation, among the many charities who service our Naperville-area community.”

Since 1987, the Exchange Club of Naperville has focused its community efforts on the elimination of child abuse and domestic violence. “Each recipient aligns with our goals,” Simmons said. “As you look through the list of recipients that we typically support, you will see the faces of kids growing up in a safer environment because of these and other contributions.” Announcements of individual awards will be made to the selected charities in January.

Ribfest is run by the 140+ members of the Exchange Club in cooperation with its partners including the City of Naperville and the Naperville Park District. More than 4,000 volunteers and hundreds of sponsors support the event, which takes place over the 4th of July weekend.

Examples of the programs that we support year over year include:

Families Helping Families
FHF was founded in 1994 with the sole focus of helping homeless mothers and their children in DuPage County.

Edward Hospital Foundation and the Care Center of Naperville
The Exchange Club provides funding in support of the Care Center of Naperville to purchase equipment, provide doctor and staff training for the region’s best facility to evaluate children and adults with special needs who are victims of sexual abuse.

Project HELP
Project HELP (Empowering Parents /Strengthening Families) provides volunteer mentoring support services to families under stress through the Parent Mentor Program.

CASA of DuPage County
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) helps provide each child with a safe, permanent, nurturing home.

City of Naperville's Elderly Services Team
The City Of Naperville's Elderly Services Team is a group of employees from various City departments and local senior service providers, including representatives from DuPage County Senior Services, the United States Postal Service and Naperville Township.

DuPage PADS
DuPage PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) is committed to end and prevent homelessness in DuPage County. PADS is committed to providing housing and supportive services for people who are homeless in a setting that encourages responsibility and offers the opportunity for independence and self-sufficiency.

Naperville CARES
Naperville CARES (Community Acting in Response to Economic Stress) is a grassroots organization whose mission is to provide resources to people within the Naperville community who require assistance to prevent homelessness and attain self-sufficiency.

The Naperville Humane Society
The Naperville Humane Society was founded in 1979 to protect animals and prevent animal cruelty.

360 Youth Services
360 Youth Services started in 1971 in Naperville to help the area’s youth. Today, 360 provides counseling in a more formal professional setting and does it on a sliding-scale fee basis.

Our Children's Homestead
Our Children's Homestead is dedicated to assuring safe and secure homes to abused, neglected and troubled children.

About Naperville Exchange Club
The Exchange Club of Naperville was chartered in 1987; its 140 members are dedicated to the elimination of child abuse and domestic violence. Through Ribfest, the Exchange Club has donated more than $14 million to more than 50 local charities. Ribfest 2014 is scheduled for July 3 – 6 in Naperville. Check us out at www.ribfest.net.

The National Exchange Club, America’s Service Club, is working together to make our communities better places to live through programs of service in Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities, and its national program—The Prevention of Child Abuse.

Want to make a difference in your community, join the Exchange Club of Naperville. To learn more about the Exchange Club or to join, visit: www.exchangeclub.org.

For more information - please contact: M J Howenstine, club administrator, at 630-779-2702 or Hunter Byington, Public Relations, at 630-357-6584

Press Release Courtesy of Online PR Media (http://bit.ly/JiwAsU)

Hunter Byington
Naperville Exchange Club
630-357-6584
email us here