LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Members of the newly named Jaycees pose for a photo in their meeting hall. They are, front row from left, Cindy Love, Scott Johnson, Secretary Cheryl Johnson, Becky Fisher and Tiffany Rupert. Second row, Treasurer DuWayne Kunes, Bill Dodson, President Bill Esposito and Vice President Doug Wenker.

LOCK HAVEN — After over 50 years, the Lock Haven Area Jaycees is no more, making way for an extremely similar The Jaycees of Lock Haven.

The decision to break away from the Jaycees’ national organization came about after years of discussion, according to members.

“The Lock Haven Area Jaycees was an age restricted organization,” DuWayne Kunes, Treasurer, said.

According to the by-laws for the national organization, those ages 18-40 qualify to be a member. And with the majority of its members aged out, the group chose to stand on its own.

In mid-2022, they began the process of becoming a 501c03 (non-profit) organization and filed paperwork with the state to secure the name The Jaycees and become legitimized; and to be seen as its own organization by the IRS.

The Jaycees, made up currently of only 13 members, hopes that removing the restrictions brought on by the national Jaycees organization, they can welcome new members into the group.

“We encourage anyone to see what we do. They see the things on the outside — the Labor Day Regatta and so forth — but to do those things we need people,” member Scott Johnson said.

Those interested in becoming a member can learn more by attending one of the Jaycees’ monthly meetings. The group meets in the Jaycee Hall below the Clinton County Historical Society’s Poorman Gallery on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

According to Secretary Cheryl Johnson, a website is also in the works. Interested individuals may also call 570-748-6388 and leave a message.

And with its non-profit status, it’s easier to accept donations from the community to continue to assist those in need. It also gives them the ability to provide receipts that donors may use for tax filing purposes, member Cindy Love said.

Love joined the organization and began helping them file paperwork to become a stand-alone organization in 2022. In previous years, she said she coordinated with the Jaycees to help those in need in the community.

According to the entire membership, helping the community is truly what they exist for.

“Service to the community is the biggest part for us,” Cheryl said.

That service includes the large Labor Day Regatta, in its 52nd year, and boat races; smaller, more face-to-face events like the two senior dinners served in April and December of each year; and individualized help including the construction of ramps for wheelchair bound veterans, assisting those in financial crisis or dealing with health issues such as cancer diagnosis and helping spread Christmas cheer.

“What we do won’t change,” Kunes said.

President Bill Esposito said helping the community is a large part of why he continues to be a Jaycee.

“I stick around because I love what people do here. Just seeing a smile on someone’s face when you help them,” Esposito said.

The Jaycees noted they’ll be returning to in-person senior dinners, beginning with its first one of the year on April 2.

Cheryl said they’ll have two seating times, 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., in the Jaycees Hall that day. They’ll also offer take-out or delivery meals for those unable to attend in-person.

Kunes said the seniors in the community are excited for the seating option to return. Since 2020, the Jaycees were forced to shift into a drive-thru only option due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The seniors are happy we’re back to a sit down meal,” he said.

The Jaycees last dinner of 2023 will be held in the second week of December.

Cheryl noted the importance of volunteers to assist with these dinners.

“We need volunteers to come and help to meet and greet the community with us,” she said.

As for the much anticipated Labor Day Regatta? Plans are already underway to prepare for the annual event.

“We’ll continue to work with the Delaware Valley Outboard Racing Association to coordinate the boaters,” Kunes said.

The 4-day event, as usual, will feature races, live music, vendors, food and carnival rides.

Kunes noted that even during the Regatta, the Jaycees are doing their best to help community members. In past years the organization has partnered with Lock Haven University (Commonwealth University-Lock Haven) to hand our free food vouchers to students on campus.

Although large, group events are often what the Jaycees are known for, they do much more.

In 2022, the group partnered with Bear Country Radio to help families in need during the holiday season. The Jaycees were able to coordinate and assist in providing 22 families with gifts during that time.

Member Bill Dodson noted they helped a woman going through cancer treatments purchase pellets for her stove. Dodson also was able to fix the heat source as well.

Member Becky Fisher said they’ve helped build ramps for wheelchair bound indiviudals — such as the late Joe Caprio — and repaired a porch for a woman in Castanea who was being treated for cancer at the time.

“If there are people out there who can donate their services, please reach out to us,” Cheryl said.

Love noted the crucial importance of non-profits such as The Jaycees in community’s like Clinton County.

“That’s the thing, we help local,” she said. “If all of this falls apart, the community falls apart.”

Scott noted the Jaycees aren’t just a membership organization.

“The Jaycees, we’re a family,” he said.

Anyone interested in learning more, or how they may be able to help, may contact any Jaycees member, attend a meeting or give them a call.

Those interested in donating to help the Jaycees continue their mission, can contact a member or mail cash or check to PO Box 13, Lock Haven, PA 17745. Please include your mailing information for a tax deductible receipt to be returned to you.