Jaycees accepting TOYP nominations        

[SEPT. 30, 2005]  The Illinois Jaycees and the Illinois Junior Chamber International Senate are seeking nominations for the top young people in the state for their 2006 Ten Outstanding Young People award program.

"We are looking for the top 10 men and women in Illinois between the age of 21 and 40," said John Gill, Illinois Jaycee TOYP co-chair. "Nominated individuals need not be Jaycees or nominated by Jaycees. You can get an application by writing to the Illinois Jaycees Service Center, 6405 Canadian Cross Drive, Springfield, IL 62711-7386; calling us at [phone]; e-mailing us at [e-mail]; or by visiting our website at www.iljaycees.org."

All applications must be postmarked by Nov. 30. Completed applications should be mailed to Mrs. JoAnn Smith, Attn: TOYP form, 11802 Country Club Road, Woodstock, IL 60098. Each of the individuals honored will receive a special medallion and photo plaque from the Illinois Jaycees at their statewide general meeting May 6, 2006, at the Holiday Inn Select Conference Center in Decatur.

The outstanding young people are selected on the basis of achievements in a number of areas, including personal improvement or accomplishment, technological contributions, legal reform, cultural achievements, financial success, economic innovation, or social improvement to major contemporary problems. Other areas of achievement may include philanthropic contribution, academic leadership or accomplishment, moral or religious leadership, athletic accomplishment, and influencing public opinion, as well as government and volunteer service.

Each year the Illinois Jaycees and the Illinois Junior Chamber International Senate select and honor 10 outstanding men and women between the ages of 21 and 40 from across Illinois. Past winners include Gary Fencik, Chris Zorich and Bill Self.

"TOYP winners exemplify all the best qualities in young leaders as well as an overwhelming commitment to helping others," said JoAnn Smith, Illinois Jaycee TOYP co-chair. "Their compassion, dedication, drive and enthusiasm must have changed their communities, the world around them, and make them living examples of the most important line of our Jaycee Creed, "Service to humanity is the best work of life!"

The Jaycees provide individuals between the age of 18 and 40 the opportunity to develop personal and leadership skills while serving their community. There are over 4,000 Illinois Jaycees in nearly 120 chapters throughout the state. Illinois has the second-largest number of Jaycees of any state in the United States.

Every year, each chapter in the Jaycees conducts numerous programs to serve the community and accumulate funds for operation of the chapter and community donations. Included in these projects are Fourth of July festivals, Christmas tree sales, haunted houses, garage sales and other projects that benefit the community and help raise funds.

The Illinois Junior Chamber International Senate, registered as a not-for-profit corporation in Illinois in 1967, mentors the Illinois Jaycees and engages in activities that help communities and individuals throughout the state. Currently the JCI Senate has 721 members. In order to be named a senator, individuals must be nominated by their Jaycee chapter and approved by the JCI Senate.

For further information on the Illinois Jaycees, membership or any of their sponsored events, write to the Illinois Jaycees Service Center, 6405 Canadian Cross Drive, Springfield, IL 62711-7386; call them at [phone]; fax them at [phone]; e-mail them at [e-mail] or visit their website at www.iljaycees.org.

[News release]