SALISBURY, MD—The Salisbury Jaycees recently was named one of the top 10 chapters in the U.S. by the group’s U.S. parent organization, JCI USA.
The designation was announced during the 2019 JCI USA annual meeting in Indianapolis, as the chapter was presented with the prestigious Clarence H. Howard Memorial Award. The accolade came for the chapter’s achievements in 2018.
“For many years, we have known how special the Salisbury Jaycees are,” said Kristy Johnson, 2018 chapter president and current board chair. “Now, the rest of the nation knows it, as well. I am proud of what we have accomplished in the past year and look forward to continuing that tradition of excellence in 2019.”
“This award is all about the dedication and commitment of our chapter members and supporters, who continually give of themselves year-round to help make the community a better place.”
The honor marks the second time in the past five years Salisbury has been named among the nation’s best. The chapter also won a Howard Award for 2014.
In 2018, the Salisbury Jaycees ran 42 projects, ranging from traditional events such as the Salisbury Christmas Parade, Children’s Christmas Shopping Tour (during which some 200 local children are taken gift shopping at no cost to them or their families) and Treat Street safe Halloween trick-or-treating initiative, to new community projects including the area’s first adaptive Easter egg hunt for children with disabilities and partnering to help with the inaugural Fresh Start back-to-school celebration for Wicomico County students.
Those projects also included fundraisers such as concessions at the Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District’s monthly 3rd Friday celebration, the Downtown Salisbury Festival and the Wicomico County Fair; membership and individual development events like the chapter’s annual crab feast and Murder Mystery Night; and state and national activities, including attending Maryland Jaycees and JCI USA conventions.
Individual members also were lauded during the annual meeting. Past Salisbury Jaycees president and current Maryland Jaycees board chair Jess Kling earned the Clayton Frost Memorial Award as the top JCI USA state president of 2018 (Maryland).
She and past Salisbury Jaycees president Emily Nock received JCI USA Presidential Medallions for their service to the national organization during the last year. Nock served as a JCI USA national vice president in 2018 and is the current national membership development director.
In addition, current Salisbury Jaycees president Jamie Nichols was recognized as an inaugural member of the JCI USA Leadership Fellows program.
The Salisbury Jaycees is a community service, social and leadership training organization for men and women ages 18-40 on the Eastern Shore. Membership meetings are 6:30 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Business Center, 144 E. Main St.
For more information call 410-749-0144, ext. 109, or visit the chapter’s website at www.salisburyjc.com or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/salisburyjaycees.
