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Batavia Area Jaycees

Annual Batavia Area Jaycees Labor Day 5K to be 'completely virtual' this year, funds raised for YWCA

By Press Release

Press release:

For the first time ever, the annual Jaycees Labor Day 5K will be completely virtual this year! This will be an unprecedented event for the Jaycees and the YWCA, and it has unlimited flexibility to meet your schedule!

Tickets MUST be purchased through our Eventbrite page here: This event is a fundraiser for the YWCA of Genesee County.

You get to choose where you run or walk and how far you will run -- it could be 5 feet or 50 miles or anything in between! You also can choose what level you're comfortable donating. 

A $25 donation will enter you into the many prize* contests we will have, including longest distance run or walked, best costume, largest team, and more!

Just take a picture of yourself walking or running and post it to Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #JayceesYWCA5K, or email it to bataviajaycees@gmail.com (make sure your privacy settings are set so we can see the photo!).

For the speed and distance prizes, just take a picture or screenshot of your smart watch or fitness tracker on your phone, and then post it with the hashtag. The prize competitions will be open for photo submissions from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Sept. 7th, so you can also choose when you want to run!

A $50 VIP donation will get you entry into all those prizes, PLUS you will be mailed a certificate and a participant medal after the event! 

A $100-sponsor-level donation you get all that, PLUS a framed photo of your choosing commemorating your race participation, AND you will be highlighted as a sponsor on the Jaycees' Facebook page!

Come support the YWCA and their amazing mission of empowering women and eliminating racism and have some fun while you do it!

*All prizes will be mailed after the event to the address you list on your ticket form unless otherwise requested.

Follow us on Instagram: bataviajaycees

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About the Batavia Area Jaycees

The mission of the Batavia Area Jaycees is to provide young people (age 18-40) with the opportunity to develop personal, professional and leadership skills through community involvement and specific trainings tailored to enhance their abilities for future endeavors. Our chapter was established in 1934 and is the second largest in New York.

Batavia Area Jaycees hold local photo competition to celebrate today -- Earth Day

By Billie Owens

Photo of DeWitt Recreation Area in Batavia taken by Mel Robinson in July 2014.

From the The Batavia Area Jaycees:

The Batavia Area Jaycees have gotten creative to not let the COVID-19 Pandemic ruin all of their plans. To celebrate Earth Day, The Batavia Area Jaycees are asking the community to vote for their favorite nature photo in their online contest album that can be found here.

The photo with the most likes and reactions will win, and the Jaycee member who submitted the winning photo will pick a local charity for the service group to donate money to.

Voting will remain open until Monday April 27th at noon. All photos are taken locally to celebrate Earth’s beauty in our community. 

The group was originally supposed to participate in a litter cleanup event to celebrate Earth Day. With the state being on pause, that event was unfortunately canceled. The group brainstormed new ways to act out their mission while practicing social distancing. 

The Batavia Area Jaycees is a group of young, active citizens ages 18-41 who work together to provide development opportunities that empower people to create positive change within themselves and our community. They strive to grow personally and professionally so that they can make an impact in our community and beyond.

The Jaycees are always accepting new members. The group will resume monthly meetings after the pandemic, so follow them on Facebook or email them at bataviajaycees@gmail.com to learn more information on how to become a member.

The group currently has members from all over Genesee County as well as Orleans County.

Reminder: Jaycees host 32nd annual Labor Day 5K Run & Walk, at MacArthur Park in Batavia Monday

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Area Jaycees are proud to announce their 32nd annual Labor Day 5K Run & Walk, to be held on Monday, Sept. 2nd, at MacArthur Park in Batavia.

Participants should check in from 8 to 8:50 a.m. Race time is 9 a.m. The registration fee for runners/walkers was $25 if preregistered by Aug. 18th, now it is $30, including the day of the event.  Runners/walkers 17 and younger was $20 if preregistered, now it's $25.

Awards will be presented to the top three finishers and first place in age group. 

You can register at runsignup.com or go to Batavia Area Jaycees Facebook page. Registration forms are available at runsignup.com and the day of race.

The Batavia Area Jaycees have been a part of the community and helping out for more than 65 years. Their goal is to provide young people with the opportunity to develop personal, professional and leadership skills through community involvement and specific trainings tailored to enhance their abilities for future endeavors.

Batavia Area Jaycees to hold Labor Day 5K Sept. 2 at MacArthur Park

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Area Jaycees are proud to announce their 32nd Annual Labor Day 5K Run & Walk, to be held on Monday, Sept. 2nd at MacArthur Park in Batavia.

Participants should check in from 8 to 8:50 a.m. Race time is 9 o'clock.

The registration fee for runners/walkers is $25 if preregistered until Aug. 18th and $30 afterward, including the day of the event. The fee for runners/walkers 17 and younger is $20 preregistered until Aug. 18th and $25 afterward.

Awards will be presented to the top three finishers and first place in age group. 

You can register at runsignup.com or go to Batavia Area Jaycees Facebook page. Registration forms are available at runsignup.com and the day of race.

The Batavia Area Jaycees have been a part of the community and helping out for more than 65 years. Our goal is to provide young people with the opportunity to develop personal, professional and leadership skills through community involvement and specific trainings tailored to enhance their abilities for future endeavors.

Batavia Area Jaycees

PO Box 285

Batavia, NY 14021

www.bajny.com

Mark Your Calendar: Third annual Tap Batavia is July 27, deadline to buy tickets is June 30

By Billie Owens

From Tap Batavia Chair Erin Worbs:

The third annual Tap Batavia is set for 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, in Downtown Batavia, hosted by the Batavia Area Jaycees.

Tickets are $35 and the deadline to buy them is June 30.

Each ticket includes a Tap Batavia T-shirt, one beer ticket each at: Bourbon & Burger Co.; Center Street Smokehouse; Eli Fish Brewing Co., T.F. Brown's Restaurant; O'Lacy's Irish Pub. The price also includes pizza and wings donated by T.F. Brown's and Center Street Smokehouse.

Designated driver tickets are $10, and everything is included but the beer tickets.

A portion of the proceeds benefits Crossroads House.

Tickets can be purchased by cash or check given to any current member of the Batavia Area Jaycees, or by paying through Venom to @Erin-Worbs.

The Facebook event page for it can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/431218950791694/

Contact tapbatavia@gmail.com with any questions, or to set up a time to meet to pay for tickets with cash or check.

Batavia Area Jaycees to hold 31st annual Labor Day 5K Run & Walk on Sept. 4 at MacArthur Park

By Billie Owens
Press release:
 
The Batavia Area Jaycees are proud to announce their 31st Annual Labor Day 5K Run & Walk, to be held on Sept. 4 at MacArthur Park in Batavia.
 
Participants should check in from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Race time is 10 a.m. The registration fee for runners is $25 if pre-registered and $30 afterward, including the day of the event. Walkers can register for $20. Runners and walkers 17 and younger is $15.
 
Awards will be presented to the top finishers.
 
Registration forms are available online at www.bajny.com and this year you can register online at Score-This. A direct link is: 
https://register-this.com/?raceid=20170904BAJC

Batavia Area Jaycees to host premiere 'Tap Batavia' on June 10, tickets $35 in advance

By Billie Owens
The premiere of the Batavia Area Jaycees' Tap Batavia will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 10.
 
This is a roving fundraiser and a portion of proceeds from this event will be donated to Genesee Cancer Assistance to support local residents battling cancer.
 
Participants pay $35 in advance to get a Tap Batavia T-shirt -- which you must wear to participate -- and tickets for one beer at each of the following locations, valid only between 4 and 9 p.m. on the day of the event:
  • Bourbon & Burger Co.
  • Center Street Smoke House
  • City Slickers Bar & Grill
  • O'Lacy's Irish Pub
  • T.F. Brown's

Plus, pizza and wings, courtesy of T.F. Brown’s, served at T.F. Brown's between 8 and 9 p.m. June 10 only.

*Must be 21 or older to attend this event. *Event T-shirt MUST be worn to redeem beer tickets. *Please Drink Responsibly. *NO REFUNDS.

For tickets, please contact:

Mark Ditzel @ 585-409-7708

Jennifer Shaffer @ 585-409-9980

Batavia Area Jaycees continue tradition of community involvement

By Howard B. Owens

Kelsey Torrey, Kristsen Danosos and Mark Ditzel were among the crew of Batavia Area Jaycees members who put out, and then took down, the U.S. flags along Main Street yesterday for President's Day.

The Jaycees are on a recruitment drive, backed by a group of past presidents and former members, said past president Tom Ditzel.

"I joined Jaycees in 1980 and made lifelong friends," Ditzel said.

Jaycees is a leadership training organization open to young men and women age 18 to 40. The Batavia Area Jaycees have a rich heritage and were instrumental in getting public support to create Genesee Community College and pushing the County Legislature for the Genesee County Park. They installed lights on the Upton Monument, put up flags on Main Street for all national holidays, and run countless other local projects around the county.  

For those interested in membership, email bajny@yahoo.com or visit the group's Facebook page.

Batavia Area Jaycees offer list of worthwhile holiday displays for 2015

By Billie Owens
Press release:
 
In no order, here is a list of houses the Batavia Area Jaycees would like to recognize for their holiday displays for 2015:
 
2 Leigh Ave.
209 Richmond Ave.
1 Elmwood Ave.
208 Osterhout Ave.
15 Porter Ave.
23 Allenview Drive
101 Naramore Drive
114 Elm St.
29 Burke Drive
13 Edgewood Drive
 
Honorable Mentions:
27 Clinton St.
114 S. Main St.
20 Pickthorn Drive
 
We did receive calls to view Union Avenue and 12 Washington Ave.!
 
Take a drive and view all the lights in the City, as we know there are many more than just this list. 
 
Batavia Area Jaycees PO Box 285 Batavia, NY 14021 585-343-5775www.bajny.com

Batavia Area Jaycees to choose best 10 houses decorated for the holidays on Wednesday

By Billie Owens
Press release:
 
The Batavia Area Jaycees will be gathering on Wednesday, Dec. 16th, to drive around and look at all the homes decorated for the Holiday Season. Judging will take place within the City of Batavia limits.
 
This year categories will not be judged, but a list of the best 10 houses to see will be named. This contest is meant to be a friendly community project.
 
If you have any questions about the contest or about the Jaycees organization, you can contact the Batavia Area Jaycees at bajny@yahoo.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BataviaAreaJaycees, on the Web at www.bajny.com or leave the a message at 585-343-5775.

The Batavia Area Jaycees is a not for profit, service organization for young people between the ages of 18-41.         

We are from all backgrounds, level of education, and positions of employment, from all walks of life. We all have one thing in common – we care enough to get involved. We are people helping people. Jaycees have been providing local individual development and leadership training since 1943.

National Jaycees president visits Genesee County as they celebrate 100 years

By laurie napoleone

(Jennifer Ray, left, and Cathryn Colby)

U.S. Jaycees President Jennifer Ray visited Genesee County this past week and attended meetings with local officials. The organization is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Ray is a civil engineer from “a little bit of everywhere,” but currently calls Baltimore her home. She says she moved to Maryland for a job after graduating from college and she only knew one person in the area. That person encouraged her to join the Jaycees and after two years of coaxing, she decided to become a member. That was in 2001. It was through the Jaycees that she met her husband, became connected to the community, and the reason she now lives in Baltimore.

The Jaycees provide an opportunity to be part of a global network and do projects that make an impact and to then raise awareness through social media, she said.

Dating back to 1915, the Jaycees was started by Colonel H.N. Micgran, a prominent citizen from St. Louis who approached Henry Geissenbier, who was the leader of the Herculaneum Dance Club, and asked they become involved in civic issues. Geissenbier and his young men friends formed the young men’s progressive association (YMPCA), which then became the Junior Citizens, called the JC’s … thus, the name “Jaycees.” The whole concept started in St. Louis but grew from there.

The Jaycees were originally an all men’s club that had a woman’s auxiliary and in 1984, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of allowing females as members. This decision prompted other organizations to allow women in as members. With Ray serving as the national president, and Cathy Colby as the New York State President for the Jaycees, it's obvious females not only joined the ranks, but have taken on leadership roles.

The Jaycees have more than 200,000 members and are always looking for civic-minded people from the ages of 18-41 to join the various chapters. Each one seeks solutions to local problems to create a "sustainable global impact." In meeting with local representatives, Ray addressed problems regarding local socioeconomic issues, citing the number of students eligible for free and reduced lunches. By meeting with different chapters, the Jaycees can share community and global resources to hopefully find solutions to an issue such as this.

On a global level, the Jaycees have assisted with numerous projects and in June, they have a National Summit in Washington, D.C., which brings together the Jaycees and various organizations to discuss national and global issues. Then they write resolutions and meet with legislators on Capitol Hill before returning to their local chapters to look at opportunities and ways to resolve issues. Ray mentioned the “Nothingbutnets” Project, which supports President Obama’s Malaria Initiative, and provides insecticide laced bed nets that prevent malaria in African countries. This is one of the many global projects the Jaycees work on. For more information on these projects, go to www.jci.cc

New York State Jaycees President Colby can be contacted at 716-474-3343 for anyone interested in learning more about the Jaycees and how to get involved in the local chapter. Her mantra is “choose your tomorrow” – encouraging the youth in the community to get out and make a difference in their communities.

President Ray said “young people are the movers and shakers. ... it is important to become active in the community by not only identifying problems, but acting on them… and that is what we do."

Photos: Jaycees clean up Veterans Memorial Drive

By Howard B. Owens

Members of the Batavia Area Jaycees and the Junior Jaycees joined forces Saturday to do a little community clean-up work along Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia.

Photos submitted by Cathy Colby.

Batavia Area Jaycees announce Christmas light decorations winners

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Area Jaycees were out driving around on Dec. 14th looking at all the homes that had decorated for the Holiday Season. Judging is always tough as there are a lot of beautiful homes decorated throughout the community. These awards are meant to be given out as a friendly community project.
 
Homes were judged on various different categories and the winners are:
Most Traditional: 206 Osterhout Ave.
Simple & Elegant: 67 Clinton St.
Best Dressed Streets: Union Street, Redfield Pkwy, Ellicott Avenue
Best in Snow: 23 Meadowcrest Drive
Most Commercial: Corner of Naramore Drive and North Street
 
The judging committee also had a few Honorable Mentions: 
15 Edgewood Drive, 27 Clinton St., 59 Tracy Ave. and 3 S. Main St.
Take a night to drive around with family looking at all the wonderfully decorated homes for the holiday season.

No awards from Jaycees this year for residential Christmas lights

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia Area Jaycees, breaking with tradition, are not awarding houses this year for Christmas light displays.

Here's their press release:

The Batavia Area Jaycees hit the City of Batavia streets on December 19th to look at all the holiday lights set up for the season.

They believe the following streets are worth a drive: Meadowcrest Drive; Grandview Terrace; Eugene Street and Naramore Drive.

These seven streets have houses worth viewing: Bogue Avenue, Redfield Parkway, Edgewood Drive, Roosevelt Avenue, Otis Avenue, East Avenue and Elm Street.

While out and about be sure to drive down Woodrow Avenue, Woodland Avenue, Valle Drive, Chestnut Street, Jackson Street, Williams Avenue, Buell Street, Cedar Street, Clinton Street and Vine.

The Jaycees want to wish everyone a safe and healthy holiday season.

Batavia Area Jaycees announce beneficiaries of Labor Day 5K Run/Walk

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Area Jaycees are proud to announce the beneficiaries of the 27th Annual Labor Day 5k Run/Walk. 5k Chair Melissa A. George said that money raised from this event will be used for various community projects tripling the projected amount; the following will be receiving donations this year.

$300 to Don Carroll Memorial Fund – Don was a great supporter of the Jaycee 5k Run/Walk by helping for years and will be greatly missed.

$200 to Batavia Cemetery Association. Jim Roth was a past Batavia Area Jaycee Member and past Liverpool Jaycee President. This donation will provide maintenance of the Arboretum named in Jim’s memory.

$200 to Genesee Cancer Assistance.

$200 to the Genesee County Park for maintenance on the Blind Trail and the DeWitt Park Pavilion (a Batavia Area Jaycee project from 1995)

$200 to the Genesee County Youth Bureau for future Halloween Parade entertainment/activities.

$300 for Thanksgiving Baskets. This will allow us to double last year’s donation to Stephen’s Table.

$100 to the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

$300 for Christmas shopping of clothes, food, toys for families in need.
 
The Batavia Area Jaycees is a community service organization for young people between the ages of 18 and 41. We provide individual development and leadership training and are members of a state, national and international organization.

If you would like more information about becoming a Jaycee, give us a call at 585-343-5775 or e-mail us at bajny@yahoo.com

Photos: Jaycee's Christmas lights winners for 2012

By Howard B. Owens

With the announcement this morning from the Batavia Area Jaycees of their annual Christmas lights display winners, I drove through Batavia this evening and got pictures of the five houses.

Above, 108 Ellsworth Ave., the traditional winner.

16 Vine St., most colorful.

101 Naramore, overall winner.

23 Meadowcrest Drive, most commercial.

20 Valle Drive, simple and elegant.

I also drove by 19 Trumbull Parkway, the honorable mention, but the lights weren't on.

Batavia Jaycees announce winners of Christmas lights contest

By Howard B. Owens

Members of the Batavia Area Jaycees drove around the City of Batavia and found what they judged to be the best Christmas light displays in the following categories:

  • Traditional: 108 Ellsworth Ave.
  • Simple & Elegant: 20 Valle Drive
  • Most Commercial: 23 Meadowcrest Drive
  • Most Colorful: 16 Vine St.
  • Overall: 101 Naramore Drive
And an honorable mention goes to 19 Trumbull Parkway.

Batavia Area Jaycees announce annual Christmas lights contest

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Area Jaycees will be out driving around on December 9th looking at all the homes that are decorated for the Holiday Season. Judging will take place within the City of Batavia limits.

The following categories will be looked at:
· Most Traditional
· Simple & Elegant
· Most Colorful
· Most Commercial
· Overall

This contest and the awards to be given out are meant as a friendly community project. If you have any questions about the contest, you can contact the Batavia Area Jaycees at bajny@yahoo.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BataviaAreaJaycees, on the Web at http://www.bajny.com/ or leave the Jaycees a message at 585-343-5775.

Batavia Area Jaycees host member night at Bourbon & Burger Co.

By Billie Owens

The Batavia Area Jaycees will be hosting a member night on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at Bourbon & Burger Co., located at 9 Jackson St., Batavia starting at 6 p.m.

We are looking for young men and women from 18 to 41 to come and join us for a short presentation about the Batavia Area Jaycees and what we do. Afterwards, appetizers will be served and participants will be encouraged to mingle and have fun.

Event Date and Time
-

Results of the Labor Day 5K sponsored by Batavia Area Jaycees

By Howard B. Owens

Here are the results from today's 5K race sponsored by the Batavia Area Jaycees.

For the men:

  • Ty Demmer, age 15, time 17:45
  • Kevin Sheehan, age 50, time 18:05
  • Dave Bateman, age 29, 18:39

Fore the women:

  • Emily Heale, age 22, 23:51
  • Kathryn Bellamy, age 31, 24:13
  • Andrea Ridings, age 28, 25:01

Top time 55 and over was Larry Pelkey, age 55, 21:22.

Top time age 65 and over was Tom Dutton, age 66, 21:54.

Tom Demmer, at age 15, finished in 19:39 and Emma Eastridge, at age 14, finished in 25:44.

Bill White, age 70, finished at 27:23 and Ed Duncan, age 71, finished at 45:39.

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