by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
The St. Joseph Jaycees will host the St. Joseph Jaycees Fall Fest 5K and Kids 1K event Saturday, Sept. 26.
It’s open to all ages and skill levels and will be held at Colt’s Academy. The 5K will take place at 9 a.m. and the 1K at 10 a.m.
St. Joseph Jaycee member Janelle Loehlein said it’s a family friendly event that will promote togetherness, wellness and just be plain fun.
“This is the first year of our event,” she said. “We hope to make it an annual event. Our goal for this year is 100 participants, but we are hoping for many more.”
Loehlein and her husband, John, have lived in St. Joseph for 12 years.
“We love the small-town feel of St. Joe (and) the vast array of opportunities our unique town provides for our family,” Loehlein said. “I have been a member of the Jaycees since 2014 and have loved every minute of it. The group is great to work with and we do awesome things for the community I was not aware of until I became a part of this organization.”
The Jaycees is an all-volunteer grassroots organization that has served the St. Joseph area since 1974.
Loehlein, 36, said the organization gives young people a chance to find their own path in volunteering and service.
The Jaycees also provide a connection to larger statewide, nationwide and international impacts. Membership is open to people 18-41, without discrimination, as outlined in the bylaws and policies of the corporation.
The organization promotes a pathway of personal development for young adults to emerge as leaders while improving their cities.
The St. Joseph Jaycees holds beer and wine-tasting fundraisers throughout the year. This year, they also began selling concessions at the Movie in the Park events.
They also organize the Easter Party which is held the Saturday before Easter at All Saints Academy; host the Punt, Pass and Kick competition (participants have a chance to compete nationally at this); sponsor a giving tree at Christmas and more.
Yearly donations are made to St. Joseph schools, St. Joseph Food Shelf, Boys and Girls Club, Girl Scouts and more.
Meetings are held at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the LaPlayette Bar.
Loehlein said they currently have 25 members.
“New members are always welcome,” Loehlein said.
All participants who register before the Sept. 11 deadline will receive a long-sleeved event T-shirt. All 1K participants will also receive a medal of participation.
Participants can register online at jayceesfallfest5K.zapevent.com. Participants are encouraged to register early to get the best price.
The St. Joseph Jaycees are a member of the Minnesota Jaycees whose international parent organization is Junior Chamber International.
To learn more about the St. Joseph Jaycees, email them at stjosephjayceesmn@yahoo.com, like their facebook page at facebook.com/StJosephJayceesMN or visit mnjaycees.org.
