The Craven County Jaycees is the premier leadership training and community service organization for young professionals. The organization serves men and women between the ages of 21 and 41 and has been doing so since 1996. Members of the Craven County Jaycees come from all backgrounds and occupations. Anyone between the ages of 21-41 is welcome to join. No matter how much or how little time you have to be involved you can have fun, meet new friends and make a difference. The level of commitment is up to you! All are welcome to attend a meeting or an event to witness, first hand, the impact we have on the community and each other. Becoming a member of the Craven County Jaycees will allow you to truly be part of an amazing group of individuals who grow, contribute, motivate, create and give back with every project…the benefits are endless! Our membership represents a variety of occupations, interests, social and economic backgrounds.
And, our goal is to have fun while doing it!
The Craven County Jaycees coordinate three major projects each year and participate in many other events, including assisting other organizations with their charitable causes and programs. The Craven County Jaycee’s major projects organized each year are our local county fair (Craven County Fair) and the New Bern Christmas Parade. Each year the Craven County Jaycees awards an academic scholarship and provides money through our New Community Grant Program.
“One is not born in the world to do everything but to do something…”
The projects listed below are designated by the North Carolina Jaycees as state-wide projects contributed to by all of the North Carolina Jaycee chapters including the Craven County Jaycees.
Boys & Girls Home at Lake Waccamaw
The Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina is a privately funded non-sectarian, not-for-profit agency that provides a “family” environment for as long as is necessary and practical for children needing an out-of-home setting. The homes provide shelter, food, clothing, education, emotional support and moral/ethical/spiritual guidance to the children. The campus is located on Lake Waccamaw in southeastern North Carolina.
Each year, the Craven County Jaycees contribute money to the Jaycee Cottage at the Boys and Girls Home at Lake Waccamaw in eastern NC. This cottage houses between 8 &15 teenage boys who have been removed from their families for many different reasons including poverty, death of their parents, or domestic violence. These young men may reside at the cottage for a short time while receiving support or they may live there until they turn 18 and enter the workforce or college. All of the Jaycee Chapters in North Carolina contribute financially to assist this boy’s cottage all year. Donations are also made to the cottage in the form of sports equipment, school supplies, computer software, games, cds, etc. In addition, the North Carolina Jaycees, including the Craven County Jaycees, contributed over $30,000 to help the cottage pay for annual essentials.
The NC Jaycee Outpatient Treatment Center at the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center
Each year, more than 6,000 cancer patients come to Duke for the treatment of cancer. Drawn by the Cancer Center’s national and international reputation, nearly one-fourth of these patients comes from outside of North Carolina. In addition, cancer patients make more than 85,000 visits per year to our outpatient clinics for treatment or follow-up care.
The North Carolina Jaycees have been a partner with the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center since 1987 and have contributed over $1,000,000 to aid the Cancer Center in making “life easier” for patients and families alike.
Progress is being made. In the last 20 years, the cancer survival rate has risen from 38% to 50%. Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center is playing a big role in improving these statistics.
North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center
The Jaycees in North Carolina, including the Craven County Jaycees, contribute financially to support the maintenance of North Carolina’s Burn Center. Burn victims from all over North Carolina and across the country are brought to this center for care and rehabilitation.
The North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center is dedicated to providing the crucial combination of specialized medical care and rehabilitative services required by victims of severe burns. Its highly specialized health professionals work as a team to apply the most advanced technology and treatment methods for the care of the individual patient. Since its opening, the Burn Center has treated thousands of patients with therapy and rehabilitation. Most have returned to their homes and families, successfully resuming their lives.