NEWS RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Beth Worsley, 919-889-6972 publicity@raleighjaycees.org April 18, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THE RALEIGH JAYCEES CELEBRATE 75 YEARS OF SERVICE RALEIGH, N.C.—The Raleigh Jaycees are celebrating 75 years of service to the communities of Raleigh and North Carolina. Recognizing the Raleigh Jaycees’ years of community service and involvement, Mayor Charles Meeker proclaimed the week of April 15–21 as Raleigh Jaycee week. “The Raleigh Jaycees are proud of our service to the Raleigh community over the past 75 years.  We look forward to 75 more years of giving young professionals the skills and opportunities to become leaders, and demonstrating that, in the words of our creed, ‘service to humanity is the best work of life,’” said the Raleigh Jaycees’ president, Ed Blackman. Formed in 1932, the Raleigh Jaycees provided opportunities for young men to develop personal and leadership skills through service to others. The chapter later expanded to include women, reflecting the growing influence and leadership of women in America. Paul Hoover, vice president of management, described the impact the chapter has had on him, “This organization has provided me opportunities and experience that I consider invaluable. Work with the Jaycees has improved my leadership skills and strengthened my bond with the Raleigh community. The philanthropic men and women of the Raleigh Jaycees act as constant reminders of the importance of service to our fellow man. Their support allows me to make a much bigger impact on the community than I could have working alone.” Hoover, a third generation Raleigh Jaycee recalls the effect the chapter had on him even as a child, “Some of my earliest memories include helping my father build the stage for the Miss North Carolina pageant and learning about guns at the Turkey Shoot. I grew up surrounded by the lifelong friends my father and grandfather made while they were members of the Raleigh Jaycees. I knew this was something that I wanted to be a part of when I was old enough.” -MORE- Raleigh Jaycees celebrate 75 years of Service April 18, 2007 Today the chapter continues to be an integral part of the Raleigh community. The impact of the projects the Raleigh Jaycees run in the Triangle area spans a wide variety of community groups and organizations through their mentoring programs in the Heritage Park housing community, the HOBY-NC leadership seminar for high school youth, annual haunted house, its annual holiday event, Goodfellows and through the running of the annual Turkey Shoot at the North Carolina State Fair. In addition, the Raleigh Jaycees continue its support of the NC Jaycee Burn Center at UNC, the NC Jaycee Outpatient Treatment Facility at the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center and multiple other charities across the community and state. The Raleigh Jaycees raise over $65,000 annually that goes back into the Raleigh community. The Raleigh Jaycees have a long tradition in the community and continue to provide unique leadership development opportunities for young professionals, while receiving continued support from its leaders of the past. “I still receive great deal of support from past Jaycees I knew as a child. They offer generous monetary support and guidance from the memories of the successes and failures of projects run during their day. I am always amazed at the sincere gratitude the past members from up to 40 years ago show to the young Jaycees who are keeping the traditions alive. This organization has had a great impact on the lives of many people,” said Hoover.    Jaycee Week activities include a semi-formal 75th anniversary reception to be held at the North Raleigh Hilton on Saturday, April 21, 7:00-11:00 p.m. The Raleigh Jaycees will host a Family Day celebration at Jaycee Park on Sunday, April 22 from 2:00-4:30 p.m. Raleigh Jaycees from over the years are invited to join the festivities along with their friends and families. This free event will include snacks and refreshments as well as fun and games for the children. The Raleigh Jaycees will also be providing Ident-a- Child kits for parents to obtain for their children. For more information, please contact the Raleigh Jaycees at (919) 713-0031 or visit www.raleighjaycees.org. About the Raleigh Jaycees: Celebrating its 75th year as part of the Raleigh community, the Raleigh Jaycees is an organization dedicated to leadership development through community service. This 200+ member all-volunteer civic organization runs more than 100 community service and leadership development projects each year. The Raleigh Jaycees is an affiliate organization of the N.C. Junior Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce and Junior Chamber International. Membership is open to anyone between 21 and 40 years of age. The Raleigh Jaycees meet the first and third Tuesday of each month at the McKimmon Center on the North Carolina State University campus. For more information about the Raleigh Jaycees visit www.raleighjaycees.org or call (919) 713-0031. # # #