Jonesboro Jaycees

Happy Birthday to us!

Jeff Taylor — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 07:01:53 +0000

Fifty-eight years ago today, a few young men came together to form the Jonesboro Jaycees, now the longest continually chartered Jaycee chapter in Arkansas. In our 58 years, we’ve managed to accomplish some great things for Jonesboro and Northeast Arkansas. The Jaycees started or helped to start…

The Miss Jonesboro Pageant
The Northeast Arkansas District Fair
Mighty League Baseball
Craighead Forest Park and the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Jonesboro
Abilities Unlimited

The Jaycees sponsor the Jonesboro Christmas Parade, manage the Goodfellows Project, and run Christmas for Kids. Goodfellows provides up to a week’s worth of food for local underprivileged families and Christmas for Kids gives toys to local children who might not get any other Christmas. The Jaycees gave Jonesboro its first street signs and provided the seed money for a new, advanced tornado warning system when the city was in dire need of one. The Jaycees also provided natural gas detectors for local schools after a series of explosions across the country set parents and faculty on edge.

The Jonesboro Jaycees have been doing great things for nearly sixty years and hope to continue for another sixty years. Take a look at the Past Presidents page and the Hall of Honor page for a list of the people who helped to make the Jaycees what it is today.

An Unrivaled Legacy

Jeff Taylor — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:03:56 +0000

While sorting through boxes today, I discovered a copy of the book of letters from past presidents that was compiled to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Jonesboro Jaycees. It’s a wonderful recounting of the history of the chapter and all of the wonderful things that we accomplished in the first 40 years of our existence.

I’ve scanned and uploaded the book so that everyone can give it a read and learn about our past and be inspired for the future.

Happy New Years, everybody!

In Jaycee Spirit,

Jeff Taylor
62nd President

40th Anniversary Book of Letters (PDF, 28MB)

Goodfellows & Christmas for Kids Information

Jeff Taylor — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:32:06 +0000

Work is underway for Goodfellows and Christmas for Kids. As of last week, applications were available for pickup from the following organizations:

Craighead County Health Unit
611 East Washington Ave
Jonesboro, AR 72401
870-933-4585

Arkansas Workforce Center
2311 East Nettleton Ave
Jonesboro, AR 72401
870-910-8129

Paces, Inc.
2917 King Street
Jonesboro, AR 72401
870-932-1166

Jonesboro Urban Renewal and Housing Authority
330 Union Street
Jonesboro, AR 72401
870-935-9800

East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging
2005 East Highland Drive
Jonesboro, AR 72401
870-972-5980

St. Bernards Senior Life Center
900 West Monroe Ave
Jonesboro AR 72401
870-935-7282

All applications must be received by November 30, 2009 to ensure inclusion into the programs.

Distribution of food and toys will take place on December 19, 2009 at the Northeast Arkansas District Fairgrounds. Families accepted into the program will receive a letter in the mail prior to the distribution telling them when to arrive. They must bring the letter and a photo ID to the Fairgrounds in order to receive their food and toys.

Please send any questions to us via the Contact page.

61st Annual NEA Christmas Parade!

Jeff Taylor — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:30:32 +0000

Information is now available for the 61^st Northeast Arkansas Christmas Parade. The theme this year is “Christmas Through a Child’s Eyes” and the parade will take place on December 3, 2009 in Downtown Jonesboro.

Registration is now closed. If you still wish to enter the parade, send us an email describing your float and your request will be considered. This is not a guarantee for entry into the parade. Late registrations are allowed at the sole discretion of the Parade Chairman.

View the brochure below or download it now!

Open publication - Free publishing - More parade

‘Letters from Santa’ benefit American Cancer Society

Jeff Taylor — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:53:53 +0000

It’s getting to be that time of year again. Before you know it (or has it started already?) the stores will be brimming with Christmas merchandise.

For just $5, you can get your child a “Letter from Santa” and benefit the American Cancer Society of Craighead County at the same time! Everyone has had their lives affected by cancer in some way and for just $5 you can help find a cure for cancer!

The deadline is December 12 so get the form today!

Dog ‘n’ Suds and a Half Price Membership Special

Jeff Taylor — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:09:42 +0000

The Jonesboro Jaycees cordially invite you to Dog ‘n’ Suds (no, we’re not washing dogs) at the NEA District Fairgrounds on September 12, 2009 at 7:00 pm. This will be a fun-filled evening of food, beverages & entertainment which will help orient all on the operation of the Snack Shack.

$5 will get you in the door. Half-price membership the night of Dog ‘n’ Suds for new members for a limited time only. New members’ entrance fee will be applied towards half-price membership if they join at Dog ‘n’ Suds.

Christmas for Kids Motocross Ride-A-Thon

Jeff Taylor — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 18:45:49 +0000

The Jonesboro Jaycees and Burnthill MotoX are once again partnering to hold a motocross fundraiser for the Christmas for Kids project.

This year’s fundraiser will be a Ride-A-Thon on Saturday, June 20 beginning at 9:00 am. Complete details are available in the information sheet and registration form below.

Christmas for Kids was established in 1982 to provide toys for underprivileged children in Jonesboro and later Northeast Arkansas. In 2008, Christmas for Kids served over 2,000 local children.

53rd Annual Swine Barn Refugee Boston Butt Cook and Chicken Roast

Jeff Taylor — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 03:12:00 +0000

Come one, come all to the 53rd Annual Swine Barn Refugee Boston Butt Cook and Chicken Roast. Chickens will be plucked and butts burned beginning on Friday, June 19th and concluding on Saturday June 20th. Chickens will be sold for the low, low price of $13 and must be picked up between 5pm and 7pm on Friday the 19th. No chicken will be held after 7pm as they tend to argue politics with the pork products. Pork shoulders (i.e. Boston Butts) can be picked up starting at 10 am on Saturday and will be sold for $25.

All orders must be placed by Wednesday, June 17th to Jeff Deniston via email or telephone 870-275-1975.

Statement on Focus Van Crash

Jeff Taylor — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:54:34 +0000

Today we grieve for those lost in yesterday’s horrific accident on US-63 just outside of Jonesboro. Words cannot adequately convey the sense of loss and heartbreak that is being felt in our community today.

For many years, the Jonesboro Jaycees has sponsored the Special Olympics Basketball Skills in our area. One of the athletes that we’ve come to know over that time lost his life in yesterday’s accident.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims, and also to the survivors as they try to cope with yesterday’s tragedy.

1Q2009 Awards

Jeff Taylor — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:50:06 +0000

A chapter is nothing without its members and that’s why the Jonesboro Jaycees believes in recognizing members at every level for their contribution to to the chapter and the community. At the regular meeting on April 16, awards were handed out for the First Quarter of 2009:

Officer of the Quarter: Jeff Taylor, Management Development Vice President
Family of the Quarter: The Barymons: Randy, Deanna, and Cameron
Director of the Quarter: Nick Davis
Member of the Quarter: Misty Hailey
New Member of the Quarter: Chris Gillins
Project of the Quarter: The American Cancer Society Ball Casino Night – Erica Swindle, Chair

Congratulations to all those recognized!