Volunteering at the annual Naperville Jaycees’ Last Fling is a real family affair for Al, Margo and Beth DeGeeter. Al, who has been a Jaycee for almost 50 years, couldn’t be happier that his daughter Beth is following in his footsteps.
“It really feels good to have my daughter there. It means a lot to me,” he said.
DeGeeter, who works side-by-side with his nephew Greg at Dean’s Fine Clothing in downtown Naperville, joined the Jaycees to help build relationships with customers when the business first started. Since, he’s been honored with lifetime membership and holds the group’s highest honor, United States JCI Senator.
“I always wanted to give something back to the community, plus it helped me to build good relationships because we had excellent leadership training,” he said..
Today, there are more than 200 Naperville members, but when DeGeeter joined, there were only around 35.
“I chose to volunteer with them because in those days the Jaycees were a young club and the members were quite aggressive in their work,” he recalled. Jaycee members are between 18 and 40, but can continue as Roosters after 40.
“Although my health isn’t as good these days, I do still attend some Jaycees’ meetings,” said DeGeeter who is a former club president. “They call me The Godfather.”
The first Last Fling was a much smaller affair than the huge event we see sprawling every year around Rotary Hill and beyond. DeGeeter said the first one was held at Knock Park with a few local bands and a trailer selling sloppy joes. Originally organized by the Naperville Chamber of Commerce, the Jaycees took it over as it grew.
One of DeGeeter’s favorite elements is Family Fun Land.
“I liked that because it was free,” he said. “I always find it amazing how many past Jaycees come out to help. The Roosters are a big group and we enjoying working together in our beer tent or serving brats. It’s a really nice fun time. I’m so proud of the Jaycees organization. I’ve made a lot of friends and because of that I feel I have more than one daughter now.”
Margo DeGeeter became a Jaycette when she married Al in 1968.
“In those days, we put on fashions shows and did other philanthropy as well as helping with the Last Fling,” she said. “Finally, in the early 80s, women were allowed to become Jaycees in their own right. I remember boiling hot dogs for the Fling and helping serve beer, which I could pour with the best of them.”
For the past three years, Margo DeGeeter has greeted visitors as they entered Family Fun Land, a role that she’s looking forward to reprising this year.
“We’re like one big family and we enjoy getting together,” she said.
Although you have to be 18 to join the Jaycees, Beth DeGeeter says she feels like she was born one.
“As a child, I would go on the Jaycees Santa train, which went from Naperville toward Chicago and back,” she said. “It was a wonderful event which lasted for more than 30 years. As I got older, me and my brothers helped out as volunteers.”
DeGeeter officially became a Jaycee in October 2008. The office manager said she wanted to give back to her community.
“My parents always had tons of fun,” she said, “so after I moved back here after college, I decided to join for myself.”
When new members are sworn in, they become part of the Jaycee family.
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“We work hard but when you do it with friends, it doesn’t seem like it,” she said.
In 2009, Beth DeGeeter found herself in charge of organizing more than 1,000 volunteers for the Last Fling.
“It was a very quick learning curve and I learned about all aspects of the Fling doing that,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity for non-profits to help because they receive proceeds in return for helping out.”
Since 2011, DeGeeter has served on the Family Fun Land Committee. This year, she’ll be co-chairing it for the first time alongside Michelle Austin. Situated on the grounds of Naper Settlement, Family Fun Land provides free entertainment for the under-12s.
“We have bouncy houses, stage shows, magicians and Cold Blooded Creatures,” she said. “New this year is a luau where children can learn to hula dance and hear Tahitian drums.”
Guest of honor will be the queen from Medieval Times, who will be appearing at 3 p.m. on Sunday Sept. 2.
“She’s doing a meet and greet,” DeGeeter said. “It’s the first time Medieval Times has had a ruling queen. It’s a nice way to enhance girl power.”
Work on the Last Fling starts before the previous year’s event has taken place. With thousands of children attending Family Fun Land events,it can be a challenge.
“We’re always striving to find ways to make it fun and exciting on a shoe-string budget,” DeGeeter said. “We are always looking for things we can bring in. The thing that makes me most nervous is thinking, ‘did we bring in the kind of entertainment everyone wants to see?’ We just want kids to come and have fun.”
This year, the Jaycees will be trying to break a world record for the most number of people in one place wearing paper crowns.
DeGeeter says even after all the planning, she loves the three event days while working from 7 a.m. to past 10 p.m.
“I just love seeing everyone come in and enjoy themselves,” she said. “It’s hard work, but I love it. I don’t have the words to describe how fun it is and best of all, I get to drive a golf cart!”
The Last Fling runs Aug. 31st to Sept. 3rd. For more information, visit www.lastfling.org. For more on how to become a Jaycee, visit www.naperjaycees.org.