Al Bell Wins Exchange Club’s Book of Golden Deeds Award

Al Bell is this year’s recipient of the Farmington Exchange Club’s Book of Golden Deeds Award, an acknowledgment of outstanding service to the community. The award recognizes dedicated volunteers who give endless hours of their time and talent towards making their community a better place to live.

Over 40 years ago, Mr. Bell brought soccer to the Farmington Community. Al’s passion for the game of soccer began in his native Scotland and led him to start the very first soccer program in Farmington in 1973. Over the next forty years, Mr Bell devoted countless hours of time and energy, developing Farmington’s soccer program and making it into one that is a true model for other programs across the state and nation.

Early on Mr. Bell led the charge to building the first soccer field at Tunxis Meade; it now boasts 10 soccer fields. These fields see hundreds of Farmington soccer players and their families on any given day during soccer season, truly bringing a community together. From checking the fields for safety in the early morning, to running the concession, to sharing time with a young soccer player, Mr Bell is a constant and supportive presence at the fields. He introduced Farmington to International soccer by initiating a soccer exchange with Scotland, allowing many Farmington players to travel to Scotland to experience the culture and share the love for the game.

Mr Bell also started and continues to be instrumental in the Annual Labor Day shootout which is a highly successful fundraiser that draws over one hundred teams from across the northeast to Farmington to participate.  His goal has always been to make sure every child can afford to play soccer.  

This dedicated service has earned Mr Bell the respect of many Farmington colleagues and citizens and truly demonstrates a sincere and selfless effort to make the Farmington community a better place to live. 

Al will be honored at the Exchange Club’s Meeting at the Farmington Country Club on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 6 p.m.  The public is invited to attend on a reservation basis.  Dinner is $35. Please reserve a place by calling Committee Chairperson Carole King at (860) 916-1144 before April 12, 2013.

Submitted by the Farmington Exchange Club.