Dedication

This history commemorating the fifty years of the Canton Jaycees is dedicated to the wives, families, employers and friends of the Canton Jaycees. The support, patience and encouragement of this special people cannot be measured by awards or projects, but by the growth and spirit of the Canton Jaycees. To them, we can merely extend our deepest thanks. The Canton Jaycees.

Introduction

This history of the first fifty years of the Canton Jaycees highlights certain events and achievements, which as a community, Canton can recognize as demonstrating the results of dedication and hard work by the Jaycees. The story of the Canton Jaycees is not found solely in awards, monuments or buildings. As a leadership development and training organization, the true success of the Jaycees can be found in the community and business leaders whose early experiences came from their active roles in Jaycee projects, both successful and not, both major and minor.

The reader of this history should not conclude that the Jaycees are successful only when they complete a major project. The Jaycee concept provides room for both success and failure and indeed any recipients of the Jaycees more infamous "blunder mug" awards and its predecessors will attest to the recognition for less than successful projects. Perhaps a part of the Jaycees which can never be adequately discussed in writing are the lasting friendships created among members of the Jaycees. As a new member of the Canton community, a young Jaycee suddenly becomes a friend and acquaintance with more than 600 of his contemporaries. After working hours on a construction project, toy drive, food program, or any other activity sponsored by the Jaycees, strangers become friends and acquaintances become lasting companions.

It is perhaps the combination of leadership training, community service and friendship that give the Jaycees a particular place in our community and a particular place in the hearts and minds of thousands upon thousands of former and current Jaycees. If we can explain or convey even a small portion of this commitment to Canton and the people who live here through the Jaycee movement to any prospective Jaycee or the Jaycees in the years to come, this history will have been well-written and hopefully well- remembered. Although there are many projects and events described in this history, there are hundreds upon thousands of other projects and activities, which space does not permit discussion in detail. Although every project chaired and implemented by any Jaycees is important, the writers of this history do not intend to slight or give less recognition to those achievements. If any oversight has been made on contributions to the Jaycees in Canton over the years, blame can be fairly placed on the authors of this history and not on the Jaycee movement itself.

We hope that this history will remind former Jaycees of their commitments and rekindle old friendships and acquaintances. It is in the spirit of commitment and development that we are pleased to present the history of the first fifty years of the Canton Jaycees.

Canton Jaycees' "We Believe"

Every classic story begins with the age-old adage "Once upon a time …". So, too, with the history of The Canton Jaycees in which once upon a time there were four friends who gathered on a Sunday morning to exchange good cheer and conversation as to the events of the day. That soon to be immortal foursome of Zeno Staudt, John Jacob, Bud Correll and Roger Clark gathered one Sunday morning at John Jacob’s apartment to drink John’s home brew and roll cigarettes on John’s cigarette machine.

What was different about this particular meeting was that Zeno had noticed in the paper that a group of men in Seattle, Washington had organized a group under the name The Junior Chamber of Commerce of Seattle and engaged in a home renovation project for the benefit of the community. After discussing the possibilities of persons in the far northwest, this group concluded that, whatever could be done in Seattle, could be done even better in Canton, Ohio

After some discussion, and after drinking more of John’s beer, the decision was unanimous that the Canton Junior Chamber of Commerce would be formed. In the true spirit of democratic elections, Zeno Staudt was unanimously elected as the first President of the Junior Chamber of Canton, primarily because he had brought the article to the meeting; John Jacob was elected Vice President because he had furnished the beer; and because no other positions apparently appeared necessary, Bud Correll and Roger Clark were elected as the two Directors.

From these very humble beginnings grew the largest Jaycee Chapter in the State of Ohio and the fourth largest Chapter in the United States. This new organization ran into some difficulties in recruiting members given the rather steep original dues of $.50 per year.

Perhaps in the first demonstration of the creativity and enthusiasm that would be exhibited throughout the history of the Jaycees, certain members volunteered to approach the famous entertainer, Sally Rand, who happened to be scheduled for an appearance in the old Canton Opera House. Drawing upon great reserves of courage, a young Jaycee approached Miss Rand to speak to an organizational meeting of prospective members. Due to his persuasiveness, Miss Rand graciously agreed to speak at the meeting, and her offer to be present was circulated throughout the Canton community for a noon luncheon at the newly opened Bender’s Restaurant.

Much to the amazement of the organizers of the event, sixty-two able-bodied Jaycees attended the luncheon; and after an hour of encouragement and support by Sally Rand, fifty members signed as new members of The Canton Jaycees, and the chapter was born.

The Articles of Incorporation of The Junior Chamber of Commerce were filed on October 23, 1934, with the Secretary of State.

Having recruited a significant number of able-bodied members, the leadership of the chapter needed to select an initial project to utilize the services and talents of these volunteers to renovate a home and raffle the completed product. The "home of the times" was a resounding success despite the difficulty of trying to move the house through downtown Canton. By the end of the raffle, the chapter had grown to over one hundred twenty-five members.

The purposes of the early Junior Chamber of Commerce, as outlined in an early newsletter were:

• To promote business success
• To teach civic responsibility
• To express the younger man’s point of view
• To sponsor various social activities
• The Jaycees of the 1930’s sponsored a Yuletide lighting contest for several years and were instrumental in creating four major Social events for the younger professionals and business people in the Canton area, including such events which continue to the present day as The President’s Ball, the Harvest Hop, the Snow Ball and the Champagne Ball.

In furtherance of the service to the community, the Canton Jaycees in 1937 founded the Canton Symphony Orchestra Association, founded the first Child Welfare Center, and vigorously promoted the establishment and growth of the City Park System. The Junior Chamber were leaders in establishing the first Police Training School in the area and sponsored lectures by Dale Carnegie for personal growth.

The Canton Jaycees joined the National Jaycee organization in November of 1937 and were successful in electing the first State Treasurer to The Ohio Jaycees from Canton, and John Jacob from Canton assumed those duties. Shortly thereafter and following those of service to the Jaycee movement on the statewide level, Walter Firestone was elected Vice President of the Ohio Jaycees in 1939.

The young women of Canton likewise formed a leadership development and service organization, and the Jaycee Auxiliary was organized in 1938. The Auxiliary put their full support behind the activities of the Junior Chamber; and without their contributions, the Junior Chamber would not have been as successful.

The Junior Chamber, however, did not limit its activities to the serious side of its commitment to the community, as it also sponsored the Junior Chamber "Follies" to raise funds in a good-natured way for its philanthropic activities. No less a figure than the legendary Cy Young must have had fond memories of his participation in the sophisticated donkey baseball game of 1936.

The members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, starting with the simple discussion of four friends, had grown to over three hundred members in a short six years and had brought recognition to the accomplishments of the young men in Canton by its dedication to community service and leadership training, both on a local and state-wide basis. It was upon these accomplishments and commitments that the Jaycees entered its second decade of service and leadership in the 1940’s.

Through the 50-year history of the Canton Jaycees, it was the Jaycees of the 1940’s that perhaps faced the widest variety of challenges to the continued success and operation of this fine organization. Despite the depletion of its ranks to service to the country in uniform, those who remained at home dedicated themselves to the support of the ware effort, as well as the continued support of local community activities. In the post-war years, the Jaycees faced even a greater challenge of post-war reconstruction and fostering a rebirth of community spirit and progress. The Jaycees of the 1940’s continued the spirit of growth of the Jaycee movement in the Greater Canton area. Canton was selected as the convention site for the 1941 Ohio State Convention and through the dedicated efforts of the Convention Committee achieved recognition for its hospitality and spirit. In 1940, Canton Jaycees initiated the Distinguished Service Award program for outstanding service to the community with its first recipient being Walter Allman.

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.

The younger citizens of the Canton community similarly received the attention of the Canton Jaycees. In the 50’s, the Jaycees founded Junior Achievement in Canton as a community improvement project for the benefit of area high school students and as a bridge between younger people and area businesses. The Jaycees re-opened and renovated the newly named Pentagon Club as the successor to the Jay-Teen Center originally created during the war years. The Jaycees also commenced the Christmas Shopping Tour program in which, through the fund-raising activities of the Jaycees, funds utilized to permit underprivileged children to purchase needed items.

Canton Jaycees sponsored the first Soap Box Derby in the Canton area, which opened to a rousing success. Those persons involved in the project may still remember how the Canton Jaycees managed to corner the hot dog bun market and had a few left over. In expanding the project in the years to come, the Canton Jaycees took the forefront of the construction of a Derby Downs for the Canton area and the ongoing sponsoring of this project.

Covering a wide variety of major undertakings, the Jaycees of the 1950’s can be particularly proud of the contributions to Canton and to the Jaycees movement. The Jaycees of the 1960’s had an excellent springboard to expand the leadership development and service to the community, which had been the forefront of the Jaycees of that time.

The Jaycees have always been keen observers of beauty, and at least several Jaycees believed that beauty was, indeed, in the eye of the beholder, and the chapter sponsored The Miss Canton Pageant for several years. In the early 60’s, the Jaycees further sponsored a basketball game between the U.S. Olympic Basketball Team and the Cleveland Pipers and donated the funds derived from the project to the Olympic team.

Those in attendance could hardly forget the play of such basketball greats as Oscar Robertson, Jerry Lucas and Jerry West. With the birth of the idea that Canton should be the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, one of the first to offer its support was the Canton Jaycees. The Jaycees of the 1960’s were on the ground level of the birth of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and its location in Canton, Ohio.

According to Clayton G. Horn, executive editor of the Brush-Moore Newspapers, Inc., the idea stated in the newsroom of the Canton Repository. Chuck Such, a sports staff member, issued a challenge to the Canton Community with a bannered story that was headlined: "Pro Football Needs Hall of Fame and Logical Site is Here."

The die was cast. Enthusiasm for the idea ran high. Immediately, the Canton Junior Chamber of Commerce asked to spearhead the project in cooperation with the Canton Chamber of Commerce. A steering committee composed of six members of each group was organized and the real work began.

For two years, members of the steering committee and many others from both chambers worked tierlessly on constitution and by-laws; non-profit incorporation; site selection and procurement, building plans and mementos, temporary operating funds, and public relations with the community nd the National Football League.

The primary objective was to receive the National Football League’s official sanction of Canton as the site for the Hall of Fame. As the Canton bid began to bloom, it faced Latrobe and new competitors, including the cities of Detroit, Los Angeles and Green Bay, can into contention for the site. Mr. William E. Umstattd, chairman of the executive committee of The Timken Company presented Canton’s case at National Football League meetings, and finally, on April 27, 1961, the League gave its sanction.

Then followed an equally successful fund campaign under the co-chairmanship of Jaycees Robert E. Lilly and Sheldon Fantle. The people of Canton, Massillon, Alliance and the surrounding communities pledged almost $400,000 to make the dream of a Pro Football Hall of Fame for Canton come true.

Another challenge of the decade successfully addressed by Canton Jaycees was the beginning of the technological revolution, which has blossomed into a major industry in the 1980’s. The seeds of the revolution were nurtured in the Canon area by a Project of the Year and Sweepstakes winner – NASA Space Fair.

The NASA Space Fair Project was conceived, sponsored, organized, constructed and operated by the Canton Jaycees to arouse the interest of the youth and the citizens in the community in all phases of space science. The project was aimed at meeting the challenge of the times to get Americans on the Moon. More than 26,000 students from grades 6 to 12 from five counties visited the Space Fair, with their teachers and were given brief lectures on each of 30 space exhibits by college narrators trained as space instructors by the Jaycees.

Many projects started in the 60’s continued into the 80’s. The Jaycees continued to average around 60 external projects a year, including such young people projects as Junior Champs, Junior Tennis, Pass Punt and Kick, Teen-Age Rodeo, Soap Box Derby, Fairmount Children Christmas Shopping Tour and others.

Many large-scale projects overlapped the terms of several presidents. One such project was the Highway Beautification Project which ran from 1961 to 1963. Using trees provided by the State of Ohio at little or no cost, the Jaycees provided the manpower to plant the sides of I-77 and US-62 from Mother Gooseland Park north to Market Avenue. Upon completion of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, The Timken Company provided the funds to complete the beautification project up to the off ramps leading to the facility.

The Jaycees of the 60’s also committed themselves to the service of the unfortunate and began the Christmas Kettle Campaign to raise funds for the underprivileged and which continues to the present day.

The Jaycees further secured a permanent place in the relationship between the young men in Canton and area businesses. Perhaps the best compliment given to the Canton Jaycees came from the noted commentator, Paul Harvey, who wrote "I tried to analyze over the years why some Jaycee organizations are spectacularly active, as is the one in Canton. And why others coast. I can’t find any common denominator among the successful ones expect ‘leadership’… In Canton, Ohio, being a Jaycee is important. Industry considers it important. City officials and news media consider it important. Most important, Jaycees consider it important."

The Jaycees of the 60’s also had some unusual things happen to the chapter. Who could forget the chapter President finding 50 pounds of raw meat marinating in his bathtub at the convention? Or, who would be more eligible for a "Blunder Mug" award than the Jaycee who lost the entire project entry books for the national competition by entrusting them to the local railway carrier? Further, who else could forget the attempt to extend a chapter over 75 miles in Midland, Pennsylvania, requiring multiple 150-mile round trips in order to establish the chapter?

The events of the 1960’s spanned the terms of many presidents and active project chairmen. It is not possible to mention the contributions of every one of them. It is evident that projects like the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Highway Beautification, Mother Gooseland, Outdoor Living Show, and the Snowball Dances are successful because they were pursued vigorously by president after president from year to year.

The times changed and the faces and names on the Canton Jaycees Board of Directors changed. But the commitment to the long-term improvement of the chapter, the community and the individual members continued.

The transition from the 60’s to the 70’s in the Canton Jaycees came at a time of international conflict, in particular the war in Vietnam. At a time when many potential Jaycees were either fighting or actively opposing the war, the Jaycees could have been trapped in between these two opposing forces to the ultimate destruction of the chapter. Instead of falling to the potential problems, Canton Jaycees organized a new project which everyone could support regardless of their political ideologies. Southeast Asia Leave Program called SEAL was begun in 1970 with the purpose of the project to provide an opportunity for area servicemen and women to come home from Southeast Asia during a two-week "R&R" while on active duty in Vietnam. The Jaycees raised funds to permit these service people to fly from Hawaii to Stark County in order to spend a short time with their family and friends.

Through a series of fundraisers, including a formal dance, a Mayor’s breakfast, tag day, a "Whopper Weekend", and a spaghetti dinner and others, the Canton Jaycees, along with Jaycee chapters in North Canton, Louisville, Alliance and Massillon, were able to raise sufficient fund to fly 17 servicemen to the area. The coordinating committee had to screen possible applicants, make arrangement through the military for leaves, and even get a brass band to the airport. Although not created for the purpose of receiving recognition, the project won both state and national Jaycee honors, was recognized by the Governor’s office and received a citation from the Department of the Army.

The charities in community action areas of the Canton Jaycees had always been of primarry importance. The phrase of the creed, "Service to humanity is the best work of life!", is more than just words and was evidenced by the activities of the Jaycees of the 70’s.

The 1970’s major fundraising activity was initiated in the Gold Rush. Originally sponsored by the Canton Jaycees and the Wilderness Center, the Gold Rush was one of the first Walk-a-thons in the area. Hundreds of volunteers solicited pledges to support their walking efforts to support their own charities, as well as the designated charity for each year. Over $40,000 was collected annually.

In the community action area, the Jaycees of the 1970’s followed in the footsteps of their predecessors and participated and organized community-wide campaigns to provide for the restoration of McKinley Monument. The Jaycees were the co-sponsor in the fundraising activity for the renovation of Fawcett Stadium, which helped to preserve the annual Hall of Fame game played in Canton.

The Jaycees further took the forefront in preserving historical structures in Canton and in 1979 voted to accept ownership of the Palace Theatre, saving it from the auction block and potential demolition. But the acceptance of the ownership of the Palace was contingent upon commitments to purchase the structure from the existing owners and the creation of a revenue base for the renovation. An army of Jaycee volunteers, as well as area businesses, donating time, labor and materials, were able to achieve the funding and resources necessary to renovate and restore the Palace Theatre. The Palace Theatre Association was formed to assume ownership of the structure and to operate the Palace as a separate non-profit organization. To this date, many of the members of the Palace Theatre Board are either current or former members of the Jaycees.

Jaycees of the 70’s initiated two fundraising programs, which to this day are the mainstay of the revenues for operation of Jaycee charities, as well as other Jaycee projects. In the 70’s, the first Canton Jaycee haunted house was organized in which, for a modest fee, every man, woman and child in Stark County could pay for the opportunity of having the scare of their life. The first haunted house was located at an old office building on the Plaza next to Harter Bank’s downtown. The haunted house was then moved to the old Belden mansion at 1400 Market Street, North, which, according to some Jaycees, was scary enough even without any "improvements". Now located at the parking deck at the Mellett, the haunted house remains one of the major projects for fundraising activities for the Jaycees in the 1980’s.

Another ways and means project had an inauspicious beginning in downtown Canton on the square. It grew to be the mainstay of the funding for chapter operations of the 1980’s – Summerfest. After a very meager beginning, the project was nurtured in the early 80’s and grew to the point where it provided up to 60% of the chapter revenues, even in years when other successful ways and means projects were operated.

In connection with civic and community activities, the Jaycees of the late 1970’s and primarily in the 1980’s organized City Club. City Club was designed as a public forum for monthly luncheons to permit public debate and discussion of events and topics of the day important to the community. City Club, now being an independent organization organized by the Canton Jaycees, continues to serve the vital purpose of public debate on a variety of issues, particularly in election years, giving the public an opportunity to compare various candidates for elected office, as well as to hear speakers on a variety of topics, arguing both sides of the issue.

Of course, the Jaycees have had their humorous projects as well. Who could forget the Juice Newton financial disaster, or its public relations problem of "Fiasco Beach", or that favorite project of "Santa Claus Visits the Geisen Haus"?

The Jaycees of the 1980’s had continued the long tradition of excellence in community service, leadership development, achieving continual national and state recognition for their efforts for the betterment of Canton. However, the Jaycees of the 80’s also took time to reflect upon the individual Jaycee member, and a concerted effort was made to expand upon the family participation in Jaycee activities. The Jaycees of the 80’s began to emphasize the family through the promotions of Wives Appreciation Day, Kids Day, Family Meetings, Family Picnics and a wide variety of activities to further the family support for the Jaycee movement.

A historic milestone was passed by the United States in 1984 with a change in the National By-Laws to admit women as full-fledged Jaycees. Shortly after the change in the National policy, Canton likewise amended its local policy to admit women members, with the first woman member of the Canton Jaycees officially sworn in on September 11, 1984. The opportunity for leadership training and public service by men and women of Canton in the same organization will certainly expand and increase already one of the best chapters in the nation.

The first fifty years of the Canton Jaycees is a tribute to hundreds upon thousands of man-hours and woman-hours devoted to the betterment of Canton through their charitable activities, fundraising activities and service to the community.

Although this history has discussed many significant achievements and contributions of the Canton Jaycees, the Jaycee story is much more than monuments and buildings, but it is rather a tribute to the individual growth and development of the young men, and now young women, of Canton. On the 50th anniversary of the Canton Jaycees, the Jaycees challenge themselves to expand and grow, both individually and as an organization, in the years to come. Upon accepting this challenge, the Jaycees of the 1980’s are proud to present the story of the Canton Jaycees.

Canton Jaycee Women

In 1938 a group of 13 wives of member of the Canton Junior Chamber got together and formed the Junior Chamber Aids. A few meetings later the name was changes to the Junior Chamber of Commerce Auxiliary and later to the Canton Jaycee Women. The organization grew to be one of the most active ones in the state, as recognized by the Ohio organization on the 25th anniversary.

Over the past 46 years the Canton Jaycee Women undertook a commitment of service and leadership training in sponsoring their own projects to rival those of the men’s organization. The longest running project is Benefit, which is a fundraiser for a local charitable organization. Another project from 1959 is a monthly birthday party for senior citizens. The women provided refreshments, entertainment and favors each month. The Children’s Arts Experience is an educational program sponsored by the group.

History of the Jaycee Creed

The Jaycee Creed was written by a young Jaycee from Columbus in 1946. C. William Brownfield had just attended the first national convention after the war and had observed enthusiasm and sincere commitment to the betterment of their home communities. Bill Brownfield concluded that some way of explaining what the Jaycees were and for what they stood – indeed a way of life. The Jaycee Creed was adopted by the U.S. Jaycees in 1947 and the Jaycee International in 1948. Bill Brownfield wrote, in explaining the meaning of the Creed, "The ideas expressed by the Creed are not claimed as original… I believe they fairly represent the faith of the Jaycees in the democratic way of life… As these young men around the world join in the thrilling experience of active Jaycee participation, we can be sure they will leave the world a better and more beautiful place than they found it."

Editor's Note

The Editors would like to extend their personal thank you to Joe Shorr, Bob Seiple, Dick Seiple and the JCI Senators for their contributions of time, material and funds to support this project.

A special thanks is due to the Golden Anniversary Committee whose input made this history possible.

Sherwood Ake
 Kirk Schuring
 
Ray DeVille
 Dick Seiple
 
Harry Guist
 Warren Smith
 
Dave McQueen
 Jim Strawn
 
Karl Sachs
 Bill Wilson
 
Tom Schervish
 
Scott Sandrock – Historian and Co-Editor
 
Cliff Vogel – Co-Editor