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: 2000's
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
Peoria Jaycees past presidents get together at the 60th Anniversary Banquet, Saturday, August 19, 2000. Front Row, left to right: Mel Novakow (1956-57), Bill McDaniels (1958-59), Chuck Kreie (1970-71), Mike Kelly (1981-82), Larry Griminger (1983-84), Jeff Pulfer (1984-85), John Cima (1996-97), Dennis Owens (1997-98), Joann Ziegle (1998), Heather Zech (1999) and then-current president Rick Owens (2000).
In August 2000, the Peoria Jaycees celebrated their 60th Anniversary. To promote this milestone event, all Jaycees, past and present were invited to a mixer held at Brewer’s Distributing on August 18, 2000. This was followed by a formal dinner banquet and dance held at the Pere Marquette in downtown Peoria and a picnic that Sunday. Twenty light post banners that read “The Peoria Jaycees – Serving Peoria Since 1940” were predominately displayed around Peoria. In addition, Mayor Bud Grieves declared a proclamation at the city council meeting designating the week of August 14-20, 2000 as Peoria Jaycees week.
