The Cherry Valley Jaycees won the most coveted award given by United States Junior Chamber: The Clarence H. Howard Memorial Award (First Place, Chapter Division One).  This award honors the best chapter in its division for its success and in making an impact on its community.  To further explain what an honor this is, eight divisions can receive this award.  Receiving the Howard is a major achievement because it is the first time in our chapter’s history that we have received this National honor.  This award is named for Clarence H. Howard, who as President of the St. Louis Chamber was a major contributor to Henry Giessenbier's success in founding the St. Louis Junior Chamber and The U.S. Junior Chamber. The award is given to our chapter for the most accomplishments in all phases of chapter activities.

Congratulations to the Cherry Valley Jaycees Women's State Bowling team! They successfully defended their state bowling title and are the 2008 State Champions!!    

 The Cherry Valley Jaycees just returned from the Year End State General Assembly in Decatur Illinois with a whole lot of hardware! The Jaycees received more than 10 awards for their work servicing the community locally and abroad. Their accomplishment included the single best project for the entire year in the state, "Adopt-a-Soldier" which was held right in downtown Cherry Valley during Cherry Valley Days! It also included the Best Community Vice President in the state (Marcia Schlarmann), and 2nd Place in the highest honor to be awarded to a chapter: A 2nd Place Divisional Giessenbeir Award. The rest of the awards are as follows:

4th Quarter Awards: (for October through December)
1st place:
Outstanding Community Project - Best Pizza
Outstanding International Project - Cooking For Camp New Hope
International Area of Opportunity - Cooking for Camp New Hope

For Entire Year 2008
2nd Place
Individual Area of Opportunity
International Area of Opportunity
Business Area of Opportunity

1st Place
Best International Development Program - Adopt-a-Soldier
Year's Best Project - Adopt-a-Soldier
Richard F. Bayer Memorial Award for The Outstanding Local Community Development Vice President Of The Year - Marcia Schlarmann

Chapter Awards:
#7 Local President - Lesa Kertz
#7 Chapter in State - Cherry Valley Jaycees
2nd Place Divisional Giessenbeir Award (Top award available to a chapter by the State)

If you'd like to come see what the Cherry Valley Jaycees are all about, we'd love to have you stop in at one of our meetings held on the first Tuesday of the month at the Cherry Valley Library on State Street in downtown Cherry Valley. The next meeting will be February 5th, at 6PM. Feel free to visit www.cherryvalleyjaycees.org as well -we'll be revealing a new website soon with all kinds of information about upcoming projects and plans, or call 847-331-5766!

Robert Watson
Cherry Valley Jaycees
2008 President
2008 Media Relations

www.cherryvalleyjaycees.org