Peoria Jaycees: 1940's - Page 1
In 1940, the "Americanism" program,
chaired by Perry Piper, won top honors nationally and was adopted by the U.S.
Junior Chamber of Commerce as a national program.
A general "War Effort" program was developed in 1941. The chapter
undertook a vigorous campaign to close "vice resorts" in the city. A
large mass meeting sponsored by the Jaycees was held. The city council by a vote
of 14 to 3 supported the campaign, which threatened to make public the names of
property owners where brothels were located. In addition, Army officials warned
the city that if toleration of vice continued, Peoria would be ruled "out
of bounds" for all members of the armed services, including Peoria's own
servicemen home on leave.
A big project during 1942 was the scrap drive headed up by H.L. "Bud"
Stoner, for which a huge pile of household scrap a block long was collected and
piled at the foot of Hamilton and Fayette Streets. A second scrap drive in 1943
collected 125 tons of metal. In addition, the Jaycees sponsored the removal of
streetcar rails from Sheridan Road to obtain 200 more tons of scrap. During the
war years, there was active participation in the citywide "War Bond"
drive and equipping the lounge for the USS Peoria.
1942 coincided with the development of World War II. Many members were called to
service so it was natural that efforts over the next few years were directed
toward helping the war effort. "Military Health" program, scrap
drives, and numerous projects were created.
The "Rumor Clinic" was under the chairmanship of Dan Bell. The idea
was that any rumor could be phoned into the Jaycees, who in turn would check it
out, get the correct information and publish the truth.
In 1943-1944, the Peoria chapter was judged to have the fifth best Jaycee
organization in the country. During the year, the Jaycees placed long awaited
street signs on previously unmarked corners, and the first Jaycee office
headquarters was opened.
The Peoria Jaycees moved up another notch 1944-1945, being recognized as the
fourth best chapter in the nation for a well-rounded program. The chapter
sponsored the "AAU State Basketball Tournament" and continued their
war effort programs. National recognition was obtained and a $100 prize was
awarded for the Peoria Plaxi. The first "Go-To-Church" campaign was
initiated that year, during the Lenten season, in an effort to increase church
attendance year-round.
Additionally, in 1945, the Jaycees launched a "Veterans' Service"
program to compliment the city's plan, designed to aid returning veterans. Among
the activities in the project were counseling, aptitude tests, educational
information, job placement assistance and tours of local industries.
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