Bill Boyd and Quentin Kliethermes
Exchange Club of Lake Highlands President Bill Boyd brought the year to a close Thursday night, praising volunteers for their work hosting Oktoberfest Dallas, the Fourth of July Parade, their spring fundraiser, their Red White Game hotdog cookout, student and first responder awards, weekly speakers and various other events. They capped it all off by awarding $53,000 to neighborhood schools and local nonprofits and by distributing $162,000 in college scholarships to 75 Lake Highlands High School students in May.
“For nearly 65 years, this club has been a pillar of our community, bringing service, engagement, activities and dollars to areas that need them most,” he told fellow members at a banquet at the Kaycee Club. “My charge to myself at the beginning of this year was ‘leave things a little bit better and don’t screw up the legacy and reputation of this group!’ It is my hope that we were able to do just that.”
Boyd presented the coveted Exchangite of the Year trophy to newcomer Quentin Kliethermes, one of the youngest members of his board.
“We joke that our fundraising is a two-legged stool — Oktoberfest and the Spring Benefit,” Boyd said. “The Spring Benefit needed a reboot, and he knocked it out of the park. But Quentin’s work and influence didn’t stop there. Anytime something was going on, Quentin was there, making our community better. Stepping in when others, like me, couldn’t. Planning our first ever mixer with the Junior Women’s League. Working a double shift at the sledding hill. At every board meeting, Oktoberfest, and available whenever needed.”
Bill Boyd and Doug Rabe
Boyd also created a rare event — presentation of the club’s top honor to Doug Rabe.
“Our club, by choice, rarely awards the Book of Golden Deeds,” Boyd said, “but there is no question that you are deserving. For your unwavering commitment to this club, our community, the 13 boards you served, the numerous presidents you educated, for the steadfast work you did ensuring that our records are accurate and our assets properly deployed, for the hours in the trailer at Oktoberfest and in hands-on service to our community, it is my distinct privilege to award you the Book of Golden Deeds.”
Finally, Boyd installed Ken Riney as the club’s new president. Riney and his board will hit the ground running, since this year’s parade — just one week away — will celebrate 250 years of American history.
