When Pike Liberal Arts chartered the first Exchange Excel Club in Alabama in 2013, it was with the purpose of improving their school, community and country through volunteerism.

The PLAS Excel Club has prided itself on being actively involved in the community. However, Anna Jordan, co-president elect for the 2016-17 school year, said the club members want to do even more.

On Thursday, several Excel members were out and about “doing more” at Sav-A-Life in Troy.

When Jane Ward, Troy Sav-A-Life director, spoke at First Baptist Church in Troy, Jordan was impressed by the beneficial services that Sav-A-Life provides to the Troy area. She realized the impact Sav-A-Life has and thought club involvement with Sav-A-Life would be worthwhile. Club members agreed.

When Excel Club members approached Ward about volunteering at the Women’s Life Center facility, she said yard work usually went undone due to the lack of manpower.

“We got together and several of us decided to come over and clean the yard for them,” Jordan said.

The crew of seven came to Sav-A-Life on South Three Notch Street armed with yard rakes, leaf bags and a willingness to work.

They divided the chores. Some crewmembers picked up limbs around the Sav-A-Life building. Others raked leaves and others bagged the leaves. After the work was done, Jordan presented a monetary donation to Troy Sav-A-Life from the PLAS Excel Club.

Tatum Meadows, Troy University intern at Sav-A-Life, accepted the generous donation from the Excel Club.

“Sav-A-Life appreciates the monetary donation and we really appreciate the volunteer hours the Excel Club members donated toward getting the grounds clean up,” Meadows said. “It’s good to see young people involved in their community.”

Laura Lynn Davis said the Excel Club is involved in service projects and also conducts fundraisers.

“We’re bell ringers for the Salvation Army at Christmastime,” Davis said. “We’ve attended the firefighters’ breakfast, veterans’ breakfast and the Troy Exchange Club. We’ve had bake sales to raise money and we are planning a talent show at Pike Lib. We want to be more involved in the community and volunteer in different ways.”

Excel Clubs are groups of high school students dedicated to improving their schools, communities and country through volunteerism. Excel Club focuses on Exchange’s four programs of service: Americanism, youth activities, community service and the prevention of child abuse.