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Thanks for generosity, Jaycees
(by Barbara Christian - February 23, 2011)
WINDOW ON MAIN STREET, BY BARBARA CHRISTIAN
Thanks for generosity, Jaycees
Rome is unlikely to canonize the Chagrin Valley Jaycees, nor will anyone nominate the organization for a Nobel Prize. But in this little corner of the universe, there is ample evidence for an award honoring its generosity.
A couple weeks ago, the Jaycees met for their annual dinner and awards ceremony, during which they surprise one of their own and a member of the community with Jaycee of the Year and Distinguished Service Award presentations.
What gets lost at the edges of that spotlight is what the organization gives in donations to area good causes and nonprofit organizations. This year, the Jaycees handed out a whopping 30 checks. If it's not a record, then it comes darn close to the number of those getting by with a little help from their Chagrin Valley Jaycees friends.
The gifts represent profits from the varied events and fund-raising projects the Jaycees undertake during the year. That many-faceted money-making machine called Blossom Time is major among them.
As is custom, the organization does not divulge the monetary amounts of the individual gifts, nor will it give a total of all the gifts put together. So, while we can't report those numbers, we can tell you who got them. Many need no introduction, because they have long histories, and their causes are well known. This year the Jaycees gave to such familiar organizations as:
The American Legion, Chagrin Falls Alumni Association, Chagrin Falls and Kenston scholarship funds, Chagrin Falls Historical Society, the Chagrin Falls Christmas Lighting Fund, Chagrin Falls parks commission, Meals on Wheels, Chagrin Falls Park Community Center, Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, Chagrin Valley Women's League, Fairmount Fine Arts Center, Hattie Larlham Foundation for those with developmental disabilities.
Also supported by the Jaycees annual gift giving are: Hiram House Camp for underprivileged kids and Ho-Mita-Koda Camp for kids with diabetes, Rescue Village animal shelter, Chagrin Falls Safety Town, Santa's Hideaway Hollow for terminally ill children, South Russell's Show Your Colors, Valley Art Center, Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center horsemanship program fostering growth and achievement for people with disabilities and Womensafe shelter for those working through the effects of domestic violence.
Then there are the lesser known organizations which got a little love from the Jaycees, including: Bikes 4 Kids, providing bicycles to underprivileged boys and girls; Bright Side of the Road, a support group for what is known as Lou Gehrig's disease; Friends of CASA for Kids, a Geauga County program of the juvenile court volunteers and child advocates; Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society, home-grown astronomy education group which owns and maintains an observatory in Huntsburg; Geauga County Job and Family Services, promoting self sufficiency and family stability; REACT, a volunteer organization of neighbors who spring to action in the event of a large-scale emergency or incident; Special Bones, an organization in support of "brittle bone disease;" and St. Baldrick's Foundation, which funds research into cures of childhood cancers.
Need we say more? Oh, yeah, just one more thing. Thanks, Jaycees.
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