The Timeline
1940
In 1940, the "Americanism" program, chaired by Perry Piper, won top honors nationally and was adopted by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce as a national program. More...
1949 National DSA
1950
Election fever! The first all-out internal election campaign was conducted with vociferous campaigning. The Jaycees re-entered the on-going battle to stamp out prostitution in our city and plunged into the fight against communist front-organizations. More...
1960
The decade of the sixties saw the Jaycees involved in many activities to benefit the citizens of Peoria: "The Home Show," "United Fund Parade," "Miss Peoria Pageant," "Golden Gloves Tournament," "Auction," and candy sales. More...
1970
The 70's, a dynamic decade for Peoria, that resulted in a very active and growing organization. More...
1980
The decade of the 80's saw the Jaycees participate in numerous community projects: "Muscular Dystrophy Association Bowling Tournament," "Wilderness Camp," "Channel 47 Auction," "Peoria County Jail Referendum," "Magic Time," "Jr. Miss Pageant," "Riverfront Improvement." More...
1990
In 1990, the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall made its lone Illinois stop in Peoria. The Peoria Jaycees were instrumental in manning the wall and assisting onlookers as they hunted for familiar names of the war heroes and listened to General Westmoreland address the audience. More...
2000
On July 13, 2000, the Peoria Jaycees and Lakeview Museum held a Business After Hours with the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce. The event brought 200+ participants and a larger increase of exposure for the Jaycees. More...
Jaycees Creed
We Believe.
That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life;
That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations;
That economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise;
That government should be of laws rather than of men;
That earth's great treasure lies in human personality;
And that service to humanity is the best work of life.
Peoria Jaycees!
Our History
The first sixty years of the Peoria Jaycees provided the means for many of our present day leaders in business and government to achieve the leadership and self-awareness that has carried them forward until today. During this period, the firm foundations and traditions were established, as were the precedents, that allow us today to adjust our projects and programs to the varying needs of the community service to localities.
Founding of the Peoria Jaycees The actual organization of the Peoria Junior Chamber of Commerce took place July 23, 1940, when, with assistance from the Decatur chapter, some 20 men decided to help further an idea conceived in 1920 by Henry Giessenbier in St. Louis.
The first official meeting was held July 25, 1940 at the Creve Coeur Club. The first officers were elected as follows: Dustin Miller, President; Walter Tobias and Charles E. Barnum, Vice-Presidents; Albert L. Lukeman, Secretary; and James Wheeler, Treasurer.
The Peoria chapter was granted its state charter on August 27, and on September 19, 1940, the national charter was presented at the charter dinner, attended by 250 people. There were then 48 members in the chapter. More..,
