|
|
|
|
|
The Strides of March The Bloomington-Normal Jaycees have been building on recurring events and introducing new opportunities to benefit both the chapter and, more importantly, the community. The BNJaycees look to create charitable events that are valuable enough to merit repeating on a continuous basis. This creates a comfortable guarantee that the amount of dollars the BNJaycees donate to local non-profits is a sustainable amount from year to year. The month of March held multiple such events, some revisited events and some exciting new ideas.
|
|
|
|
|
2nd Annual
Doggie Easter Egg Hunt
|
|
|
The 1st Doggie Easter Egg Hunt held in 2015 was such a success, the BNJaycees were thrilled to hold the 2nd Annual event on March 19th. The dogs (and their owners) showed in great numbers, the mass amount of Easter Eggs didn’t stand a chance. With the big dogs in one pen and the smaller pups in another, the common sight between the two was the plastic eggs being pried open by aggressive noses and dog treats gobbled up in one bite.
Apart from the successful hunt, professional pet photographer Angel Sallade attended the event to take photos of patron’s dogs with an Easter Bunny mascot (played by a BNJaycees member). Sallade posted the professional photos online for purchase, and all of her profits are being generously donated to the three partnering non-profits of the 2nd Annual Doggie Easter Egg Hunt.
The BNJaycees captured some of their own photos of the event, check them out below!
|
|
Sharin' of the Green The Town of Normal held its annual Sharin’ of the Green Parade to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Many Central Illinois businesses and organizations come together to march in the parade that moves through Uptown Normal. The BNJaycees participate every year, this year’s role was crowd control. Many of the groups involved in the parade throw out candy for all the kids who attend as spectators. The BNJaycees helped make sure children kept clear of the moving vehicles in the parade for safety.
Hey, it takes brave souls to stand between kids and candy.
|
|
|
Sunday April 24th, 1 P.M.
The 8th Annual Tulip 5k for a Cure is around the corner. Runners and walkers alike will be joining forces to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research. Each year, the turnout is greater at White Oak Park in Bloomington. The BNJaycees are looking forward to throwing another punch against Pancreatic cancer. Entry is $25 and you can sign up online.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prep.Freeze.Cook The Bloomington-Normal Jaycees partnered with Prep.Freeze.Cook to bring simplicity to the dinner menu of B-N residents. Prep.Freeze.Cook provides fully prepared, frozen meals for home consumption. The BNJaycees ran a fundraiser where contributors would receive 10 frozen meals. These meals are kept in the freezer, and prep work is simply thawing and reheating. A split of the profits was donated back to the BNJaycees chapter to help fund future community events.
|
|
|
Documentary Premiere Last year, a documentary was locally filmed and edited to showcase the Tulip 5k for a Cure history and purpose. The Tulip 5k for a Cure has become one of the BNJaycees marquee yearly events. The documentary featured interviews with the event’s creator, fellow BNJaycees members, people personally connected to Pancreatic Cancer and experts from a leading cancer research facility.
The viewing party was the premiere of the full documentary, which will soon be available for streaming online. The event also acted as a fundraiser, to generate even more money to be donated to Siteman Cancer Center for research. The night was also unique in an appearance by Karen Kharasch, one of the expert interviewees from Siteman in the documentary. Kharasch delivered an passionate speech about how Siteman Cancer Center is working to cure cancer, one individual at a time. The event also had a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle, with all the proceeds going back into cancer research for a cure.
|
|
|
Individual Development 2016 President Tony Brown hosted a home maintenance workshop at his house for this month's individual development project. Topics ranged from plumbing and heating to gutters and air quality. The workshop even capped off with a new member initiation!
Afterwards, the group celebrated their newfound home repair savvy by attending a beer and wine tasting at Hy-Vee.
|
|
Upcoming Events
Saturday, April 9th, 4:30 P.M.
Trivia Night to Benefit
Friends of The Autism Place
VFW Post 454 - Bloomington
Wednesday, April 13th, 7 P.M.
General Membership Meeting
VFW Post 454 - Bloomington
Saturday, April 23rd, 9:15 A.M.
LIFE CIL Wheelchair Basketball
Kingsley Jr. High - Normal
Sunday, April 24th, 1 P.M.
8th Annual
Tulip 5k for a Cure
White Oak Park - Bloomington
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
