By Jen Matteis, Harbor News Staff:
It’s a high honor
being the first female president, as Jennifer Daricek of Clinton well knows. Earlier this year, members of
the Madison Jaycees elected Jennifer its new president, a big move for the
traditionally all-male organization, which has helped the community and
families of ill children since its creation in 1954.
“When I joined there
was only one female.” Jennifer says. “It’s definitely an honor.”
Jennifer joined the
group in 2003 while she was working at Madison State Farm Insurance, inspired
by the involvement of her boss.
“They do a lot of
good stuff, so I just hopped on board,” she recalls.
Since then, she has
taken an active role on the board of directors, and also served as secretary
for the past two years. Her current position is the result of a number of
different factors, not least her capability.
“I’ve been actively
involved in the board since basically I started,” she says. “I think I have a
good rapport with all of them, and they’ve been very open to having me on
board.”
As president,
Jennifer plays a major role in organizing the group’s three main fundraisers:
the Turkey Trot, the Madison Masters Golf Tournament, and the Dave Parcells
Triathlon.
“We have the
traditional Turkey Trot every year at Hammonasset,” Jennifer says. “Hundreds of
people come out every Thanksgiving morning.
“The Madison
Triathlon is huge,” she adds. “It sells out early every year. Last year we
raised about $50,000 just through those three events.”
Along with raising
money for different causes, ranging from large charity organizations to a
Guilford boy who needed a kidney transplant, the Jaycees also get directly
involved with community projects. Past projects include helping out at the
Madison Mile and building a lightning detection system at the Surf Club—a
facility that’s very existence is owed to the Jaycee’s efforts to secure the
land 40 years ago.
“You really get what
you put into it,” Jennifer emphasizes. “I want to put in as much as possible
and participate in anything I can do.”
Jennifer, who grew
up in Madison and currently works at Yale-New Haven Hospital, recently bought a
house just over the border in Clinton.
As for the future of
the Jaycees, Jennifer encourages others—both men and women between the ages of
21 and 46—to join the club.
“It would be nice to
introduce more people to it,” she says. “The more people we get involved, the
more successful we will be.”
The community
service aspect of the club is what initially drew Jennifer to the organization.
“I just like what we
do for people,” she explains. “We can’t give money to everything that comes up,
but we do what we can. We’ve helped a lot of families and organizations.
“We just do so much
good, it’s great to be a part of it,” Jennifer continues. “We help make the
community a better place to be.”
The Jaycees holds its annual
membership recruitment “Smoker” on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at
the Madison Surf Club. The event features food, beer, and more. RSVPs are necessary to
attend. For more info, call
203-605-2206, email themadisonjaycees@yahoo.com, or visit www.madisonjc.com.
Pictured: As president of
the Madison Jaycees, Jennifer Daricek follows the group’s creed, “service to
humanity is the best work of life.”
Photo by Jen Matteis