Cedar Rapids Jaycee Timeline

    History of The Cedar Rapids Jaycees:

     

    2011: Cedar Rapids Jaycee Building Completed.

    2010: Ground breaking ceremony for new Jaycee Building

    2009: Jaycees hit $330,000 mark in donations back to community.

    2009: Jaycee Building Demolished to prepare for new 4,100 sq. ft. facility.

    2008: Flood hits Cedar Rapids and Jaycee Building is swamped.

    2008: Chapter awarded the Harold Marks Memorial Award for Number One Chapter in the United States. Awarded to Chapters demonstrating excellence in Programming, Management, and Community Development. Only two other Chapters in Iowa have received this award to date: Des Moines and Clive.

    2007: Building fund hits $175,000

    2006: Dream Makers hits the $200,000 mark in donations back to community.

    2003: Troop Dinners for departing 500 Iowa Guard Troops going to Iraq.

    2002: Senior Christmas dinners begin at Witwer Senior Center.

    2001: Uptown hits 2000 attendees and starts DreamMakers.

    2000: New Building Fund established

    1998: Raised all money and built first Habitat House in Genesis Park Development winning won top state and national awards for our population group.

    1997: Uptown Friday Nights moves from 2nd Street, to Green Square Park, but forced to the pavement, but still hits the 1000 attendee mark.

    1996: Jaycees begin Bluesmore partnership for beer service.

    1996: Jaycee state convention at CR Marriott shown on Good Morning America.

    1988: Uptown Friday Nights begins at the Ground Transportation Center.

    1985-1986: Connie Stewart elected as first female Cedar Rapids Jaycee President.

    1984: CR Jaycees are “kicked out” of the Jaycees forabout 6 months due to admitting women. The were forbidden from using the Jaycee name and were known as “Young Leaders of Cedar Rapids” until the US Supreme Court rules that the US Jaycees can’t ban women from being members of the group.

    1982: CR Jaycees file a complaint with the civilrights commission charging sex discrimination by the national organization.

    1981: Jaycees purchase their building at 225 5th Avenue SW and named it the Frank Nye Center after the first State Jaycee President from Cedar Rapids.

    1981: Cedar Rapids Jaycees admit the first 5 women into the Jaycees in defiance of US Jaycee bylaws.

    1973: Cedar Rapids Jaycees extend 4 chapters. Ely and Swisher were extended in only 3 hrs. CRJCs ranked #1 in state for the first time.

    1972: National JC President (Sam Winer) went on record as being in favor of allowing women members. VERY Controversial stance at the time.

    1972: Jaycees sponsored the Stock Outboard National Championship Boat Races with 700 drivers. Largest boat race in the world at the time.

    1972: Jaycees helped pass a bond issue to build a new airport terminal, which is still in use today. Don Hines son in law chaired that project.

    1971: Jaycees started “Pee Wee” football. Now known as the “Metro Youth Football Program”.

    1971: Jaycees sponsored first “Challenge Cup” stockcar race at Hawkeye Downs. Now known as the Miller 100. Richard Petty was in attendance and helped with promotion.

    1971: First Jaycee Haunted House ran in town. ClarkMcLeod was a member at the time and wired the building for sound.

    70s: “Playboy” casino’s started.

    1962: Cedar Rapids Jaycees petition State of Iowa for state wide daylight savings during summer months.

    60s: Cedar Rapids Jaycees sponsored an Air Show at the airport featuring the Blue Angels. In 1970, one of the Blue Angels crashed, ending the show.

    Early 60s: CR Jaycees establish a free medical evaluation clinic for children.

    1955-1956: Bob Jones of Cedar Rapids serves as Jaycee State President.

    1954: CR Jaycees hit the 700 member mark, making themthe 8th largest Jaycee group in the Nation.

    1953: Young Men’s Bureau officially changes name to CR Junior Chamber of Commerce.

    1953: CR Jaycees run their first Christmas Parade.

    1947-1948: Frank Nye served as first Jaycee State President from Cedar Rapids.

    1944: Don Hines and Karl Blaise of the CR YMB pushed a bond issue to establish the Cedar Rapids Airport at current location. Don served as Airport Commissioner for first 28 years.

    1942: Cedar Rapids “Toy Shop” started (5 years before Toys for Tots program by USMC began).

    1941: YMB raises $8500 for bond issue to fund the first municipal pool (Ellis Pool).

    1937: CR group joins the Iowa Jaycees, but maintains the name Young Men’s Bureau.

    1936: CR establish Golden Gloves Boxing tournament as a fundraiser.

    1933: Cedar Rapids group starts as Young Men’s Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce. (age limit was 35 years old)

    1932: First group activity was the Cedar River boat races, drawing 15,000 people and raised $1100.

    1928: Iowa Jaycees organization was first formed.

    1920: National Jaycees first formed with 12 chapters.

    1918: First Jaycee Chapter established in St Louis by Henry Giessenbier and 32 other members.