CITY WOULD BENEFIT FROM JAYCEES REVITALIZATION

A recent visit to Cape Girardeau by Sydney Ward, national president of the Jaycees, may not boost dwindling membership of the local chapter overnight, but it could revive interest.

The local chapter's membership dropped from a peak of 300 in the early 1980s to just 35 last week. Although membership is declining in many civic organizations, the Cape Girardeau Jaycees decline has been significant, mostly because the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the mid-1980s that Jaycees must admit women. Some men quit or didn't join because they didn't like being forced to do anything. Some women didn't join because they preferred women-only organizations.

The Cape Girardeau Jaycees have existed since 1936 and have made significant contributions to the community. The annual Toybox program, which provides gifts to needy children at Christmas, is a joint project with the Southeast Missourian. The organization raises funds for community use through its annual golf tournament played on the course the Jaycees built and now lease to the city. It is the only public golf course in the city.

These are just two of the benefits the Jaycees have provided to the community through the years.

Cape Girardeau could certainly benefit from a revitalization of the organization.