Our History | Peoria Jaycees: 1940's
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.
A general "War Effort" program was developed in 1941. The chapter undertook a vigorous campaign to close "vice resorts" in the city. A large mass meeting sponsored by the Jaycees was held. The city council by a vote of 14 to 3 supported the campaign, which threatened to make public the names of property owners where brothels were located. In addition, Army officials warned the city that if toleration of vice continued, Peoria would be ruled "out of bounds" for all members of the armed services, including Peoria's own servicemen home on leave.
A big project during 1942 was the scrap drive headed up by H.L. "Bud" Stoner, for which a huge pile of household scrap a block long was collected and piled at the foot of Hamilton and Fayette Streets. A second scrap drive in 1943 collected 125 tons of metal. In addition, the Jaycees sponsored the removal of streetcar rails from Sheridan Road to obtain 200 more tons of scrap. During the war years, there was active participation in the citywide "War Bond" drive and equipping the lounge for the USS Peoria.
1942 coincided with the development of World War II. Many members were called to service so it was natural that efforts over the next few years were directed toward helping the war effort. "Military Health" program, scrap drives, and numerous projects were created.
The "Rumor Clinic" was under the chairmanship of Dan Bell. The idea was that any rumor could be phoned into the Jaycees, who in turn would check it out, get the correct information and publish the truth.
In 1943-1944, the Peoria chapter was judged to have the fifth best Jaycee organization in the country. During the year, the Jaycees placed long awaited street signs on previously unmarked corners, and the first Jaycee office headquarters was opened.
The Peoria Jaycees moved up another notch 1944-1945, being recognized as the fourth best chapter in the nation for a well-rounded program. The chapter sponsored the "AAU State Basketball Tournament" and continued their war effort programs. National recognition was obtained and a $100 prize was awarded for the Peoria Plaxi. The first "Go-To-Church" campaign was initiated that year, during the Lenten season, in an effort to increase church attendance year-round.
Additionally, in 1945, the Jaycees launched a "Veterans' Service" program to compliment the city's plan, designed to aid returning veterans. Among the activities in the project were counseling, aptitude tests, educational information, job placement assistance and tours of local industries.
1946-1947 saw the emergence of two significant projects. One was "Senior Residents' Day," in which Jaycees volunteered their time and cars to take residents of the city's retirement centers on tours of the area. Second, was “Rat Control”, an intensive program designed to make the public conscious of the need for controlling the rat population.
The first "Home Show" was sponsored in 1947 at the Armory. The show was the biggest profit maker ever! The proceeds were placed in a trust fund to be used for civic projects and to finance chapter activities for several years. Later that year, the Jaycees turned to public safety with a "Bike Registration" program. All bicycles in the city were registered and the riders given basic safety information. Twenty-three states participated in the first "National Junior Golf Tournament" held at Mt. Hawley Golf Course and sponsored by the Peoria chapter. This has since become a yearly event in many cities across the country.
In 1948-49, the chapter was awarded the Harold A. Marks trophy, for first place in chapter standing among the 1,800 plus Jaycee groups nationwide. The chapter sponsored "Your Candidate Speaks" giving candidates of both parties for all offices radio time to express their views and policies. "Johnny No Vote" was burned in effigy at the corner of Main and Jefferson. Jaycees and their wives "adopted" children from city orphanages for a night at the theater.
The 1949 National Distinguished Service Award Banquet in Peoria.
1949-1950 was a banner year for the Peoria Jaycees. The membership was at a record high of 570 men. An intensive 20-day membership drive resulted in the signing of nearly 300 members. National attention was focused on Peoria this year, as the Jaycees sponsored the 1949 National Distinguished Service Award presentation. This country's 10 outstanding young men came to Peoria for the awards dinner and related recognition. This banquet has since evolved into the "National Ten Outstanding Young Persons in America" program. Among the top 10 honored at the Shrine Mosque the night of Jan.21, 1950 was Gerald R. Ford, 36, the new U.S. representative from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Also among the 10 were Charles Percy, the 30-year-old president of Bell and Howell, the youngest chief executive of a major industrial concern and Kenneth Pitzer, 35, director of research for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.