Burton Area Jaycees hope to help community after becoming official chapter

By Roberto Acosta | racosta1@mlive.com

BURTON, MI -- Hard work still remains ahead for the Burton Area Jaycees after receiving its charter during the organization's spring assembly in Boyne Mountain Saturday.

burtonjaycees.jpgView full sizeCourtesy PhotoBurton Jaycees membership vice president Stephanie Wade, charter president Brad Johnson and treasurer Lany Burnett after receving their charter at the Boyne Mountain Resort Saturday.
"It was very exciting," said Johnson, a former membership vice president with the Spartanburg, South Carolina Jaycees chapter, who started the idea of a Burton chapter last winter during a car ride with a friend. "We now have legal authorization to use the Jaycees name."

The Jaycees, or Junior Chamber, is for people 21 to 40 years old who hope to share ideas about business, employment opportunities and build relationships with other like-minded people in the community.
A charter was not available until the group reached 20 members paying dues. Johnson said they stand at 21 members, and the group will need to maintain at least 20 to remain a Jaycees charter.

Johnson said the Burton group, an extension of the Frankenmuth Jaycees chapter which donated $500 upon the charter recognition, has now set up a bank account and look to begin holding larger events in Burton.

Members - including residents from Davison and Flint - are volunteering and setting up a concession stand at the City of Burton Memorial Day 5K race to help raise basic operating costs.

Other ideas include a potential prom for adults, Johnson said, who noted "We're looking for our signature project. The big Burton Jaycees project."

"The goal is being able to give back," he said. "I see us, for example, making contributions to Pack The Truck and other causes as we go along."

Johnson hopes to grow a base fund of at least $10,000 to put on larger events, such as a festival and concerts in the downtown area along Saginaw Street which officials are trying to build through the Michigan Main Street program.

Goals for Jaycees members are individual development, community development and building leaders, Johnson said.

"Now, it's time to start doing what we can for the community," he said.

For more information on the Burton Area Jaycees, visit their website here, search Burton Area Jaycees on Facebook or call 810-730-8917.