Wheaton Jaycees stepping away from July 4 activities

Facing the possibility their chapter might not be around next July 4, the Wheaton Jaycees are relinquishing responsibility for the annual holiday parade and fireworks display to the city.

Mayor Michael Gresk already is seeking volunteers to help with planning and fundraising for next year's Fourth of July events.

"The good news is that we have a year to reorganize," Gresk said Tuesday. "We also have a great foundation that the Jaycees built. I am looking forward to a smooth transition and an even better 2010."

The Wheaton Jaycees had organized the annual celebration for about 20 years and established the parade as one of the largest in northern Illinois, attracting as many as 70,000 spectators.

But Lori Ortolano, who just completed her final year as parade and fireworks chairwoman for the Jaycees, said the chapter doesn't have the membership to continue organizing the celebration.

Unless something unexpected happens, Ortolano said the Wheaton Jaycees likely will disband in the next seven or eight months.

"Community service organizations, I think, are really struggling at this point," Ortolano said. "People just don't have the time to volunteer."

While numerous individuals help the Jaycees with the July 4 events and the group's annual haunted house, Ortolano said most are too young or too old to be part of the organization. Members must be 21 to 39 years old.

Even though the Wheaton group has 20 members, half of them aren't active, she said.

"We just can't sustain it," Ortolano said.

She said she's stepping down as parade and fireworks chairwoman because "I have two young kids and I need to refocus on my family."

Kathy Crick, vice president for the Illinois Jaycees' northern region, said she hopes news of the Wheaton chapter's membership issues inspires others to join.

"Yes, our numbers have declined," said Crick, referring to statewide membership, "but the organization is still alive and strong."

Crick pointed to several successful chapters in DuPage County, including Naperville's with 99 members and Lombard's with 53.

No matter what happens with the Wheaton group, Gresk said the city's Fourth of July celebration will continue next year. The city spent $30,000 on this year's event.

"It's just going to be a different group taking charge of it," he said. "I think we will have a large pool of talent that we can draw from."