Princeton Jaycees win coveted Giessenbier Award at year-end assembly

PRINCETON — Members of the Princeton Jaycees recently attended the Illinois Jaycees year-end assembly Jan. 27-29 at the Decatur Conference Center in Decatur.

The year-end assembly consists of training sessions for local officers and general members as well as a year-end awards banquet. The Princeton chapter was named the recipient of the Giessenbier Award, an award given annually to the most outstanding chapter in the state.

The award is named for Henry Giessenbier Jr. (1892-1935), who was the founder and first president of the United States Junior Chamber, which was established in 1920.

Princeton was chosen for this award based on chapter programming, growth and overall performance. The chapter ran more than 30 projects with many in every area of Jaycees including 15 individual development projects, focusing on building membership. The Princeton Jaycees raised and donated almost $25,000 back to the community while building its membership to 45 members.

Some of the chapter’s 2011 events included the sandbox fill, the Fourth of July fireworks display, the Homestead beer garden, PHS football cookouts, the glo-light give-away and the Turkey Shoot Golf Outing. The Jaycees’ awards will be on display for the community at Citizens Main Bank in Princeton.

Other awards received by the chapter and its members include: Most Outstanding Local Chapter Treasurer Award, Katie Dye; runner-up Most Outstanding Local President, Andy Dye; Outstanding International Development Project for the third trimester, Turkey Shoot Golf Outing; first in chapter division and overall sweepstakes winner in community area of opportunity; Presidents Club for chapter growth; fourth place Parade of Chapters; and third place Ways and Means Project, Homestead beer garden.

The Jaycees is a young person’s leadership training organization. Leadership growth is achieved through community service and training opportunities. Members are between the ages of 18 and 41. For more information about the Princeton Jaycees, contact Kurt Garvin at 815-878-5137 or Katie Dye at 815-303-4602.