Jaycees in the News

Newark Area Jaycees might go unnoticed, but their work doesn't

Newark Area Jaycees members Scott Firestone, Dan Wilson and Eli Martin cook and prepare chicken for the public after a community parade in September.
By JESSICA TRUMBULL
ThisWeek Contributor Monday March 15, 2010 12:12 PM

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Many people have heard the name, Jaycees, but most don't have much of an idea exactly what it is.

In reality, it would be difficult miss the impact the Newark Area Jaycees have had on their community over the years. From parades to chicken barbecues, evidence of their dedication is widespread, perhaps a testament to their involvement in the community.

The U.S. Junior Chamber, more commonly known as the Jaycees, is a nationwide volunteer organization. Established in 1920, the group is for young professionals ages 18 to 40 who seek to make a difference in their community. The Newark Area Jaycees are part of the Ohio Jaycees, U.S. Jaycees and JCI International.

"We undertake various projects throughout the year to help benefit the community around us," said Kevin Firestone, current president of the Newark Area Jaycees. "When any needs arise in the community - people needing volunteers or help in any way - we try to be there for them."

The Jaycees have a long history in Newark. They first gained their charter in the mid-1930s, according to Larry Wise, a former president of the Newark Area Jaycees.

"If someone wanted something done in Newark, they came to the Jaycees," Wise said. "Back then, all the movers and shakers - the up-and-coming people in this community - were members. They were the guys that were going to be owners of businesses, bank presidents, managers, on down the line."

The Jaycees help organize the United Way parade each year. In addition, they've run a home show, cleaned up parks, sold Christmas trees, set up haunted houses and even filled sandboxes. The projects to raise money, Wise said, were essential to helping out the community.

"We wouldn't write a check," Wise said. "We'd go out and fundraise to get the money. It's a leadership-training organization. There's not much training in writing a check, but there is in organizing a project to raise money."

In addition to benefiting the community, Jaycees members in turn get a great deal back from their experience. The group has provided public-speaking courses, leadership-training courses and other resources to give members a leg up in the professional world.

"I joined to get to know people so people would get to know me, and then in the process to do something for my community," Wise said. "It was like a college education. To this day, my planning, my ability to think things out, my ability to work with people, talk with people - there's so much I gained that I'm still using. The impact was phenomenal."

The Newark Area Jaycees maintained their presence until the mid-1990s, when they lost their charter because of a lack of membership.

"The major challenge was in getting people to commit, people not wanting to get involved," Wise said.

The community was without a Jaycees organization until late 2006, when a group of about 20 young professionals - Firestone included - re-established Newark's charter. Today, the group is nearly 50 members strong.

"We've expanded, and we're still adding new members all the time," Firestone said. "Finding ways to cultivate the membership we have now while finding new ones is really the biggest challenge."
Today, the Newark Area Jaycees' biggest projects include their involvement with Relay For Life, the Special Olympics and the Salvation Army Adopt-A-Family program. Bringing back the annual United Way parade also has been a major accomplishment.

"That was where we really made our debut in the community," Firestone said. "They really saw that we were back and we were capable of pulling off large-scale projects. That was a cool experience for me to be a part of, seeing people lined up on the street, excited about the parade being back. It was a part of the tradition for many years."

For Firestone, the mix of friendship and community service makes being a member worthwhile.

"The best thing for me is the camaraderie that I've established with the other members," he said. "We have fun, but we do good work out in the community at the same time."

Meghan Poth, executive vice president of the Newark Area Jaycees, echoed Firestones sentiments.

"It's something I hadn't really had the opportunity to do in my regular job, being able to have a group of people to do activities with - fun activities as well as activities that benefit the community," she said.

The Jaycees meet at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of each month at All Occasions, 241 S. Fifth St.

For more information, such as becoming a member, e-mail info@newarkareajaycees.org or visit http://newarkareajaycees.org.

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From the Newark Advocate (January 25th, 2008):

Newark Area Jaycees announce officers

NEWARK -- The Newark Area Jaycees named its board of directors for 2008, including Seth Ellington, who is employed at Big "O" Refuse, as its president.

The vice president appointments, all Newark residents, are: Josh Hann, of Farnsworth Financial Services, as vice president of community development; Kevin Firestone, of Retail Marketing Services, Inc., as vice president of business management; Nate DeRolph, of Fifth Third Bank, as vice president of individual development; and Scott Firestone, of The Grill on 21st, as vice president of membership.

Eric Baker, a Newark resident who works at Park National Bank, was named treasurer. Jordan Coad, a Newark resident working at State Farm Insurance, is secretary. Jon Imler, a Utica resident working at Wilson, Shannon & Snow, is the state director.

The Jaycees will have their first social event at 8 p.m. Feb. 2 at The Mill Wheel Tavern, 150 W. National Drive, Newark. Firestone, a local musician, will perform at the event, which is open to the public.

The organization is open to anyone from age 18 to 40. It meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month at the All Occasions Party House and Meeting Place on the corner of South Fifth Street and National Drive.

For more information, visit www.newarkareajaycees.org.

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IT’S OFFICIAL: THE NEWARK AREA JAYCEES ARE BACK
Organization Receives Charter and Swears in New Members

NEWARK, Oh. (December 10, 2007) — A community organization with a long and storied history in the Newark-area community has officially returned after more than a decade-long absence.

Several former Newark Area Jaycee members and community leaders were in attendance to show their support along with state Jaycee officers as the Newark Area Jaycees obtained its charter and swore in its first batch of more than 20 charter members last Thursday evening.

The meeting was a culmination of the group’s efforts to build interest and recruit enough new members to charter. State Jaycee officers traveled as long as two hours to attend the meeting and show their support for the new chapter.

“I’m proud to see the groundswell of support for this group’s return to the Newark area,” said Walt Smith, current president of the Ohio Jaycees. “There was a lot of energy and excitement in the room. It was apparent that this group means a great deal to the community. The Ohio Jaycees are excited about this new chapter and we know they’re going to do some great things.”

Among the first projects the Jaycees will undertake include a Charter Night celebration event and a candidate’s night event prior to the March primary election. They have also expressed interest in helping to bring back the United Way parade.

As a token of support, former Jaycee members Craig and Mike Young presented the new chapter with $200 from a Jaycee alumni fund. Additionally, Dan and Pat Guanciale, also former Jaycee members, presented the group with $100 each. The funds will help the new Newark Area Jaycee chapter get started.

“We appreciate all the support we’ve received from so many leading up to this point,” said Ryan Bubb, Newark City Councilman-elect and a member of the new Jaycees. “We can’t wait to get down to business and re-establish ourselves as an asset to the Newark-area community. Fortunately, we have the benefit of a great history and reputation behind us. We’re going to add to that legacy.”

“It’s humbling to see so many young people that want to get involved and make a difference in the community they live in,” said Craig Young, a former Jaycee member who assisted the group in obtaining its charter. “It’s evident by their profound display of organization. These individuals are the new community leaders.”

Anyone from the ages of 18 to 40 are welcome to join the Newark Area Jaycees. The group meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month at All Occasions on the corner of South Fifth Street and National Drive in Newark. For more information, e-mail info@newarkareajaycees.org.

About the Jaycees
Established in 1920, the Jaycees provides young people between the ages of 18 and 40 the tools they need to build the bridges of success for themselves in the areas of business development, management skills, individual training, community service, and international connections. With the focus of the nation on volunteerism, from the smallest towns to the largest cities, the Jaycees are enlarging areas of opportunity for young people. The Newark Area Jaycees are part of the Ohio Jaycees, U.S. Jaycees and JCI International.

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