DUBOIS – The DuBois Area Jaycees are celebrating the 54th year of the organization in the DuBois area by bringing back an older tradition – that of Jaycees Week. Activities between July 30 and Aug. 7 will be centered around fundraising, fellowship, honor and recognition of past Jaycees’ efforts, and will also be marked by a community service project. The week also celebrates the nationwide founding of U.S. Jaycees — previously the Junior Chamber of Commerce – in 1915. The group officially changed its name to U.S. Jaycees in 1965.
The Jaycees is a service organization for young people ages 21-40, focusing on the economic, civil and service needs of the community. The organization is also aimed at creating opportunities for leadership through community betterment projects. The DuBois chapter was established in 1956 with 18 charter members. Originally a male-only organization, the Jaycees opened up its membership to women in 1985.
Planned in the coming week to celebrate Jaycees Week are:
- July 30 – Jaycees Summer Scramble at Kenterra Golf Course. Proceeds will benefit Jaycees projects throughout the year. We are completely booked for this premier event, filled with friends of Jaycees and “exhausted roosters” – those who have been members and have aged out of the organization. Shotgun start is at 5 p.m.
- Aug. 2 – Community Spotlight program on WCED 1420 a.m. Jaycees from over the years will be featured on Gary Stormer’s radio program from 9:06 to 9:29 a.m. On tap are John B. “Jack” Green Jr., Craig Ball, and Erin Dixon Heath. Gary Stormer is an exhausted rooster himself.
- Aug. 4 – Service project at DuBois Nursing Home begins at 5:30 p.m. Jaycees will be helping the DuBois Nursing Home weatherize its new gazebo as part of a larger landscape project which the Jaycees helped to finance.
- Aug. 5 – Jaycees will make a check presentation of $500 to Special Olympics.
- Aug. 6 – Jaycees will provide kids games for the First Fridays “Oldies Night” block party on Brady Street in downtown DuBois beginning at 5 p.m.
- Weeklong – The Jaycees will be organizing three upcoming events: a website launch for the organization, planned for later in the month; a recognition ceremony at the DuBois Jaycees Pool at City Park (date to be announced); and the Second Annual Jaycees Scholarship Reception, scheduled for Sept. 22 at Luigi’s Ristorante. The reception features a silent auction with all donations benefitting the Jaycees Scholarship Endowment Fund. The event features unique items up for bid, including an autographed Pittsburgh Penguins jersey, the Jaycees catered dinner, and autographed Steelers football.
Locally, the Jaycees are perhaps best known for financing and leading the efforts to build the pool at city park, known as the DuBois Jaycees Pool, which was dedicated Aug. 2, 1959. Less than 10 years later, in 1964, Jaycees led an educational effort to raise awareness in the city of DuBois about the benefits of fluoridated water. Citizens voted in favor of fluoridation referendum that November, making DuBois the fourth city in the United States to approve fluoridation. Since then, Jaycees help needy families and children, support education through scholarships, annually make donations to small charitable organizations, support causes and cures, work to enhance the local economy by supporting and promoting area businesses, conduct numerous service projects, and have continued to build young people into many of the leaders in this community.