With the commencement of World War II, Canton Jaycees joined with many other organizations and spearheaded projects in the community to support our war effort. Over 50% of the Canton Jaycees served our country in uniform while the Jaycees at home actively organized, participated, and gave countless hours in projects to support that effort. Canton Jaycees organized the first scrap metal drive in Stark County and the leadership of the Jaycees was called upon to direct war housing centers, price control surveys, and related activities. Although the major impact of the war could have caused the focus of the Jaycees on that effort, the Canton Jaycees also recognized the need to continue to provide leadership and service to the local community during these trying times. The Jaycees actively participated in organized fund-raising campaigns for the Salvation Army building fund, Red Cross activities, and the sale of war bonds.

In one of the most ambitious projects undertaken by the Jaycees in the early years was the organization of Jay-Teen, Inc., in 1944. Jay-Teen was organized in response to concern for problems in the school age youths in the Canton community. Despite the troubled economic times, Jaycees were able to raise over $7,000 for remodeling and decorating a hall located over a local theatre. In the initial year of operation, several thousand students enjoyed the facilities of the Jay-Teen which consisted of dancing, game rooms, art rooms, soda bars, and lounges. Over 600 hours of planned supervision and entertainment had been provided by Jaycee volunteers and had required nightly participation by Jaycees members and other volunteers.

At the end of the war, the emphasis of the Canton Jaycees could again be directed to the local community. The American Cancer Society was founded in Canton in the post-war years, and the Jaycees made a major commitment to housing and related community improvements. In an attempt to foster pride in local businesses, the Jaycees undertook to sponsor the first Canton Industrial Show; and through their tireless efforts, over 96 area businesses sponsored booths for examination by all visitors and even generated substantial profit to the chapter of over $6,000. The Industrial Show was Canton’s first national award from the United States Jaycees in the Trade Promotion category. One may venture to guess as to whether the project was an award winner because of the concept, public involvement, or the fact that it generated a profit. This show was the successful forerunner for other exhibitions, including the popular Sportsman Shows of the 1950’s.

The Jaycee’s of the 150’s concentrated their considerable efforts in improving the quality of life in the Canton area.

Perhaps the most ambitious project ever undertaken by the Canton Jaycees was the development and construction of Mother Gooseland. This project involved years of efforts through fund-raising activities, design and construction and the implementation of a unique project of a public park dedicated to children. The Jaycees undertook responsibility for securing the use of the real estate south of the then existing park system to dedicate to the project. Through the tireless effort of Dr. Harry Guist, who "lived" the project for many years, the Jaycees were able to secure the design of the various exhibits, and the followup of translating those designs into reality. The Jaycees solicited and obtained contributions of material and supplies from many area individuals and businesses and from those outside of the greater Canton area. In the course of this multi-year project, over $125,000 was raised by the Jaycees through their own fund-raising activities and from solicitations to area businesses and other philanthropic organizations. As a recognition of the community value and major commitment of time, materials, and manpower, the United States National Jaycees recognized Mother Gooseland as a national award recipient in the community development area.

The Jaycees of the 1950’s, however, did not limit themselves to construction projects, but rather looked to the expansion and development of the city itself. The Jaycees undertook the renovation of an area home to demonstrate the value of utilizing building code standards and by example hoped to demonstrate the improved quality of life which would be associated with uniform building codes and code compliance. The Jaycees further initiated and implemented litter control programs, including the installation of trash bins and other related functions to improve the cleanliness of the community itself.

The 1950’s were a time of transition in the development of the community of Canton. The Jaycees were in the forefront of the petition campaign to put the tax levy on the ballot to generate needed community funds to construct Canton City Hall. In fact, the Canton Jaycees remain the only individual organization recognized by a plaque in the City Hall building because of their efforts in this project. The Jaycees of the 1950’s spearheaded petition campaigns to annex the territory to the north of the City of Canton, as well as to construct and expand Route 62. This same group of Jaycees actively supported even controversial issues affecting the community, such as the city fluoridation and the statewide Right to Work provisions.

Other community needs were also served by the Jaycees of the 50’s. One major project in the early 1950’s was the "TV to Fight TB" program to raise funds to put television sets in Molly Stark Hospital. The Jaycees sponsored the Oberammergau Passion Play, which, although an artistic success, became a financial disaster.