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 | Peoria Jaycees: 1960's
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.
Governor Kerner signed a bill that stated that all 1961 and older automobiles licensed in the State of Illinois would require two seat belts in the front seat. The chapter responded with a Seat Belt Clinic. By 1966, Jaycees used their manpower to install 600 seatbelts in "Operation Buckle Up."
Also in 1966, Dr. James Turpin addressed the group at a district banquet, speaking on the real struggle in Vietnam. Later that year, a ”Holiday Rest Stop" was conducted over Labor Day weekend. Over 300 cars and 1,200 people took advantage as the Jaycees manned the Mobile Oil Company on Interstate 74 at the Kickapoo exit. Local merchants donated refreshments, safety literature was distributed, clowns entertained the children, and the Jaycees washed more windshields than they ever knew existed!
The year 1966 also saw the task of providing sidewalks at the Neighborhood House campsite near Chillicothe. The project actually consisted of digging the complete area, laying of the forms, spreading the cement, and working for numerous foremen.
Another humanitarian service developed by the chapter: "Project Little Red Wagon," brought donated wagons to each of the city's three hospitals. The wagons were given to the pediatric wards to transport young patients.
