Jaycees are positive asset to Sikeston

SIKESTON -- For the past 51 years, the Sikeston Jaycees have been providing the community with entertainment and music during their annual Sikeston Jaycees Bootheel Rodeo. This week is no exception; however, the Jaycees do a lot more than have a little rodeo fun once a year.

"Over the past few years, the Jaycees have really given us a big shot in the arm," noted Blair Moran, executive director of Missouri Delta Medical Center Foundation. "Sikeston is very fortunate to have a group put on an event that's as successful as the rodeo. We should be proud to be a beneficiary of the good things the Jaycees do."

In particular, the Sikeston Jaycees have helped fund the Renal Dialysis Center and the O'Bannon Family Care Center. Since 1994, the Jaycees have donated $116,500 to the Missouri Delta Medical Center, Moran said.

"The Jaycees have been nothing but a positive asset to Sikeston. "I hope everyone appreciates what the rodeo does for the economics of the community," Moran said.

Each year the Sikeston Jaycees make donations to several organizations/businesses in the Sikeston area. In addition to MDMC, some of these groups include the YMCA of Sikeston, United Way, House of Refuge, Sikeston Nutrition Center/Heritage House, Sikeston Department of Public Safety and the Kenny Rogers Children's Center.

"Basically, the Kenny Rogers Children's Center started from nothing, and the Jaycees have built it up to what it is today," said Sikeston Jaycees President Corey McNew. "But the funny thing is, a lot of people don't realize the time and work the Jaycees do year-round -- not just on the rodeo, but on other things, too."

Contributions to groups are given by the Jaycees on an annual basis, McNew said. The process begins in the fall after the rodeo.

"Area organizations have the opportunity to present their specific needs for donations to the Jaycees," McNew said. "We then review the requests."

Since the inception of YMCA of Southeast Missouri in the summer of 1995, the Jaycees have helped fund several projects, said Jeff Partridge, executive director of the YMCA of Southeast Missouri.

"There's no doubt in my mind the 'Y' would not be anywhere near where it is today, if not for the Jaycees," Partridge said, adding that the YMCA has received close to $200,000 from the Jaycees.

The Jaycees have helped build the youth center inside the facility and so much more, Partridge said, adding that some Jaycees also volunteer their time by serving on the YMCA board.

Other area groups benefit from the Jaycees, but in a different way. Several organizations such as the Boy Scouts, Kelly Schools, 4-H, Sikeston Senior High School, swim teams, VFW and others volunteer their time working at the rodeo in exchange for a certain percentage of the profit.

"We give them X amount of dollars for so many hours that they work," McNew explained. "And groups who work at the rodeo change from year to year."

Lynn Hasty, scout master of Sikeston's Troop 59, said he knows all too well the impact the Jaycees have on the community.

For years now, at least one Boy Scout troop operates a concession stand during the rodeo and for many scouts, working can open the door to huge experiences. "Most of the money earned is used so scouts can attend summer camp," Hasty explained. "Of the 25 scouts who were going to summer camp last year, about 16 made half of their money by working at the rodeo."

Hasty said summer camp can cost hundreds of dollars for scouts -- much more than the average person can't afford on their own.

"So the rodeo definitely impacts the scouts who otherwise wouldn't be able to go to camp," Hasty said. "Also by working at the rodeo, it gives the scouts a sense of pride to earn their own money."

Having the Jaycees is very beneficial to the Sikeston community, Hasty said.

"Some people probably don't realize how much good the Jaycees do with their money. They don't blow it on themselves and they don't toot their own horn. The Jaycees have helped make dreams that otherwise wouldn't have been able to come true," Hasty pointed out.

But as McNew put it, the Jaycees are just doing what Jaycees do.

He said: "That's what being a Jaycee is all about -- to become a community leader and to give back to the place you grew up."