About Us
Our History, Jaycees of the 50's
The Junior Chamber (Jaycees) mission is to give young people between the ages of 18 and 40 the tools they need to build the bridges of success for themselves in the areas of business development, management skills, individual training, and community service.
The Hattiesburg Jaycees is the oldest and largest Jaycees chapters in Mississippi. Initially established in 1942 and then re-established in 1946 after World War II, our organization has a rich tradition of providing our city and its citizens valuable community services and enriching the lives of the thousands of past and present members.
Hattiesburg has been named one of the best small cities in America and has ranked #1 in health care. Instrumental in the establishment of Forrest General Hospital in the 1950′s, the Hattiesburg Jaycees have played an important role in Hattiesburg’s achievement.
For over 45 years we have been the proud sponsors of the Forrest County Junior Miss program. Through it we have raised tens of thousands of dollars for college scholarships for deserving high school girls.
Our organization also has close ties with the public school system and youth sports. In the 1950′s we donated to the city the land that Hattiesburg High School now calls home, and also donated the land where Dixie Youth Baseball is now played. Since then we have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to Hattiesburg High School and the athletic department through numerous projects.
The Hattiesburg Jaycees offer unlimited opportunities for the young citizens of our community through our Individual Development, Community Development, and Management Development programming areas. Whether you work for a large corporation, a small business, or are a college student, the Hattiesburg Jaycees can help fulfill your goal of personal growth and leadership development while improving the quality of life in our city.
The Hattiesburg Jaycees is the oldest and largest Jaycees chapters in Mississippi. Initially established in 1942 and then re-established in 1946 after World War II, our organization has a rich tradition of providing our city and its citizens valuable community services and enriching the lives of the thousands of past and present members.
Hattiesburg has been named one of the best small cities in America and has ranked #1 in health care. Instrumental in the establishment of Forrest General Hospital in the 1950′s, the Hattiesburg Jaycees have played an important role in Hattiesburg’s achievement.
For over 45 years we have been the proud sponsors of the Forrest County Junior Miss program. Through it we have raised tens of thousands of dollars for college scholarships for deserving high school girls.
Our organization also has close ties with the public school system and youth sports. In the 1950′s we donated to the city the land that Hattiesburg High School now calls home, and also donated the land where Dixie Youth Baseball is now played. Since then we have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to Hattiesburg High School and the athletic department through numerous projects.
The Hattiesburg Jaycees offer unlimited opportunities for the young citizens of our community through our Individual Development, Community Development, and Management Development programming areas. Whether you work for a large corporation, a small business, or are a college student, the Hattiesburg Jaycees can help fulfill your goal of personal growth and leadership development while improving the quality of life in our city.
Meet the Jaycees!
Lisa Foster - Chairman of the Board
Age - 30
David Sarton - President
Age -
Sarah Thornton - Management VP & Treasure
Age - 30
Sarah joined the Jaycees for community service opportunities and to meet new people. She was looking for an organization that her whole family could enjoy. She is a mother of 2 young children; therefore, it is convenient that there is free babysitting offered during the meetings.
Sarah joined the Jaycees for community service opportunities and to meet new people. She was looking for an organization that her whole family could enjoy. She is a mother of 2 young children; therefore, it is convenient that there is free babysitting offered during the meetings.
Miranda Williams - Membership VP
Age - 30
Miranda joined the Jaycees after attending one of the General Membership Meetings with a good friend who was currently an active member. She loved what they were about and thought it would be a great way to give back to her community.
Miranda joined the Jaycees after attending one of the General Membership Meetings with a good friend who was currently an active member. She loved what they were about and thought it would be a great way to give back to her community.
Tameka Howard - Community VP
Age: 24
Tameka joined because "My reasons for joining the Jaycees was to meet new people and get more involved in the Hattiesburg community. Being a member of the Hattiesburg Jaycees has helped build my confidence and has given me the opportunity to form close relationships with people who are nothing like me."
Tameka joined because "My reasons for joining the Jaycees was to meet new people and get more involved in the Hattiesburg community. Being a member of the Hattiesburg Jaycees has helped build my confidence and has given me the opportunity to form close relationships with people who are nothing like me."
Kelly Day - Secretary
Age:
Kelly joined the Jaycees because she wanted to find new ways to help other people. She also wanted to be around other people who care about themselves and want to help people in the community.
Kelly joined the Jaycees because she wanted to find new ways to help other people. She also wanted to be around other people who care about themselves and want to help people in the community.
AJ Thornton - Business VP
Age - 32
AJ joined for community service opportunities and to make new friends. He also enjoyed the fact that he could get into every USM home game for free!
AJ joined for community service opportunities and to make new friends. He also enjoyed the fact that he could get into every USM home game for free!
Jessi Wallace - Director at Large
Age - 30
Jessi joined the Jaycees out of a desire to do her part (no matter how small that may be) to make the Pine Belt an even better place to live and work! She works at Forrest General in Marketing and Communications, and was born and raised here, so she wants to give back to the community that has given her so much over the years.
Jessi joined the Jaycees out of a desire to do her part (no matter how small that may be) to make the Pine Belt an even better place to live and work! She works at Forrest General in Marketing and Communications, and was born and raised here, so she wants to give back to the community that has given her so much over the years.
Carolyn Critz
Age - 38 "I joined the Jaycees because I feel like many hands make short work and although my hands are on the "old" side, there is much work to be done. Our society and our community have changed drastically over the last few decades, yet the spirit of the Jaycees remains the same: To promote positive change. I'd like to be part of something positive; to be a part of an organization that values service, inspires neighbors to contribute to their communities and supports locally owned businesses."
Crystal Brown
Age: 30
Cystal says "I love the idea of working with the community, so Miranda didn't have to persuade me too hard to join. I am glad to be a part of the little group whose work is BIG!"
Cystal says "I love the idea of working with the community, so Miranda didn't have to persuade me too hard to join. I am glad to be a part of the little group whose work is BIG!"
Jennifer Smith
Age:
Jennifer is an Autism teacher at Oak Grove Middle School. She is a graduate of William Carey University, and has lived in Hattiesburg for ten years after relocating from her hometown of Richton, MS. Jennifer has recently become a consultant for Usborne Books and More, and joined the Jaycees to learn more about business and networking.
Jennifer is an Autism teacher at Oak Grove Middle School. She is a graduate of William Carey University, and has lived in Hattiesburg for ten years after relocating from her hometown of Richton, MS. Jennifer has recently become a consultant for Usborne Books and More, and joined the Jaycees to learn more about business and networking.
Sheree Brownlee
Age:29
"I joined the Hattiesburg Jaycees to meet new people and make new friends. I would also like to learn new skills and apply them to my life but mostly to make a difference. Being a Jaycee has given me the opportunity to give back to my community. Most people want to volunteer or help but don't know where to start; that's where the Jaycees come in. We seek out the needs of our community and use all of our resources to get the job done."
"I joined the Hattiesburg Jaycees to meet new people and make new friends. I would also like to learn new skills and apply them to my life but mostly to make a difference. Being a Jaycee has given me the opportunity to give back to my community. Most people want to volunteer or help but don't know where to start; that's where the Jaycees come in. We seek out the needs of our community and use all of our resources to get the job done."
Wendy Springer
Age:31
Wendy wanted to join the Jaycees because she loves to help people, and the community. She said "it gives me a good feeling and makes me feel blessed to help those in need."
Wendy wanted to join the Jaycees because she loves to help people, and the community. She said "it gives me a good feeling and makes me feel blessed to help those in need."
Mary Davis
Age: 32
Mary says her strengths are sports, coaching, organizing and fundraising. She hopes that being involved with the Jaycees will allow her to find some projects that will allow her to give back and get involved in the community again.
Mary says her strengths are sports, coaching, organizing and fundraising. She hopes that being involved with the Jaycees will allow her to find some projects that will allow her to give back and get involved in the community again.
Codi Ethredge
Age:
When asked why she wanted to join she replied, "I kept seeing all the good you guys do for the community, and I wanted to become part of that positive change. I have been super blessed so it's great to be able to give back to those who need it."
When asked why she wanted to join she replied, "I kept seeing all the good you guys do for the community, and I wanted to become part of that positive change. I have been super blessed so it's great to be able to give back to those who need it."
Marquise Slator
Age - 25
Marquise joined the Hattiesburg Jaycees to network, meet new people, participate in community activities, and to enhance his skills at being a public relations professional.
Marquise joined the Hattiesburg Jaycees to network, meet new people, participate in community activities, and to enhance his skills at being a public relations professional.