Jaycees help community prepare for spring with mower clinic

[March 13, 2013]  Ready, set, start your mower. Spring is coming. And, those who believe that had the Lawnmower Clinic offered by the Lincoln Jaycees at the top of their to-do list last Saturday. You'll know who was there when the first of your neighbors are out cutting grass next month because they were smart and got their mowers serviced by the Jaycees.

Throughout their building at 325 S. Chicago St., Lincoln Jaycees could be found working swiftly in teams. The activity was well-organized and running like clockwork.

Shelly Hackett and Todd Timm were up front checking mowers in. They quickly took down owner names, collected mower serial numbers and descriptions.

As each mower was tagged, it was whisked away to the holding station. Robert Bacon and Kim Frizzel worked in tandem on the transport team.

After that it was all behind the scenes. The whine of a grinder sharpening blades sounded rhythmically, proving the actual work process was well under way by other unseen Jaycee worker-elves.

Check-in was from 9 a.m. to noon, and mowers were ready for pickup between 3 and 5 p.m. Each mower had its oil and spark plugs changed, blade sharpened, deck cleaned, and air filters checked -- all for $30 at drop-off time.

The spring mower clinic and the Halloween Haunted House are the two fundraisers that the Lincoln Jaycees make money on to use for the whole year. Their Haunted House was voted best of the Jaycees in the state this past year.

Money raised goes to local community projects that take place throughout the year.

Next up is their annual egg hunt with Harvey the Easter Bunny. Kids ages 1 through 10 years of age will be able to gather goodies and prizes on March 23 at 1 p.m. at Latham Park in downtown Lincoln. A March 30 rain date has been set.

This year, the organization will have a team walking in the Relay For Life of Logan County that takes place on June 14.

Another annual project is the Senior Feast, and one of Hackett's favorites at Christmas is providing wrapped presents for children through the Angel Tree.

According to the website of the Lincoln Jaycees, http://lincolnjaycees.com/: "We are always looking for new members. Have a look around and please contact us or come to a meeting if you are interested in joining."

The next membership meeting will be on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Jaycees Center, 325 S. Chicago St. Meetings are open to everyone.

The Jaycees give young people between the ages of 18 and 40 the tools they need to build the bridges of success for themselves in the areas of business development, management skills, individual training, community service and international connections.

The Lincoln Jaycees are members of the Illinois Jaycees, United States Jaycees and Junior Chamber International.

[By JAN YOUNGQUIST]