Greater Newtown Exchange Club Shutters After 83 Years

NEWTOWN, PA — A long-running service organization in the Newtown area is shutting down at the end of this year, citing the coronavirus pandemic as a key factor in the decision.

The Greater Newtown Exchange Club, which has organized programs in the community for the past 83 years, made the decision to close in light of decreasing membership in recent years and severely limited fundraising opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The club is also one of 700 "Exchange Clubs" across the country that perform child abuse awareness and prevention services.

The group met twice monthly at local restaurants and nonprofit organizations, where it hosted guest speakers and made fundraising plans to help support local charities and organizations, such as NOVA Bucks, Pickering Manor and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Bucks County, to name a few.

Past fundraising events included pancake breakfasts, silent auctions and golf tournaments.

Over its 83-year existence, the club donated more than $1 million to local charities, according to Greater Newtown Exchange Club Vice President Laurel Collins.

"GNEC wishes to thank all the current and former club members, supporters, businesses and volunteers for their service and dedication, and extends gratitude to the Newtown community for the opportunity to serve," Collins said in a statement.