As many of you may know from my previous columns, I am a proud member of the Naperville Jaycees, serving as an Officer on the Board of Directors. The Jaycees is a leadership development and community service club for young people ages 21 to 40. We raise and donate money to local charities throughout the area, and our largest event and fundraiser is The Last Fling over Labor Day Weekend.
Most people have attended and/or heard of the Last Fling, so I thought it might be interesting to give a little behind the scenes…
Planning for this colossal undertaking begins a year in advance with the selection of an Executive Director (who will act as the chair for the Fling committee) by the Board of Directors, and an Executive Committee to fill out different areas of responsibility within the event. Members of the EC are in charge of logistics, PR, entertainment, sponsorship, etc… and these volunteers over the past year have found time to serve while balancing, work, family, and all of life’s other responsibilities. I’m constantly in awe watching the things they accomplish and the amount of tireless work they put in to give back to our community.
The best part about the event is watching the look in the eyes of the EC members as they take it all in. They have just poured a year of their lives into creating this monumental event, and I truly believe it’s one of life’s more impactful moments when they realize what great things they’re truly capable of.
This year that moment will be looking at Rotary Hill packed with thousands of people watching The Goo Goo Dolls. At that time, community service and giving back is cemented in their DNA forever. The Jaycees are an incubator for leaders. A place where you gain experience, grow, and then go out to spread your wings serving other boards and charities the rest of your life. Around Naperville you’ll find Jaycees alumni in Rotary, Exchange Club, Naperville Heritage Society, City Council, The Chamber Board, Little Friends, Naperville Cares, 360 Youth Services, North Central College Board of Trustees, Naperville Development Partnership, and that’s just to name a few!
You’ll also see the names of alumni like Ray Kinney, Tom Miers, Dave Kelsch, Grant Wehrli, Kevin Gensler, Chuck Corrigan, Joe Lichter, Brien Nagle, Mike Naset, Brand Bobosky, TomJordan, Jason Altenbern, all across town and probably a few more in the pages of Positively Naperville!
Related Posts: Jerrod Niemann to headline Last Fling August 30
Collective Soul will headline at Naperville Jaycees Last Fling on Sept. 1
Goo Goo Dolls to headline Last Fling August 31
Online tickets now available for Jaycees Last Fling
Think about how those names have impacted our community, and it all started with the Jaycees and The Last Fling.
So if you’re on the fence about coming this weekend, look at it this way… Just a hot dog and a beer will help support and grow volunteers who will go on to serve on boards, charities, and make an exponential impact in the community for 50 years going forward.
See you at the Fling.
