Community Impact
CREATE IMPACT IN THE PALATINE COMMUNITY
The Palatine Jaycees chapter impacts Palatine through fundraising, donations, and events that benefit the entire community.
Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest gifts our community its Fourth of July fireworks, parade, and free entertainment each year while raising money that is given back to various chapter-driven and partnership projects benefitting the village and township.
Palatine Jaycees Christmas Tree Sale has given the Palatine community quality trees for the holiday season for more than 55 years and raised money for the chapter’s activities.
Other community projects include:
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Various holiday events benefiting disadvantaged families and children
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Leadership Scholarships for community-focused Palatine-area high school seniors
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Community Grants program that award funds to applying local organizations that benefit Palatine and the surrounding area.
Community Grants and Partnership Program
Each year, the Jaycees accept applications for their Palatine Community Grants Program from local organizations serving Palatine residents. Awards in the past have ranged from $100 to $1,500. Requests for assistance might include money for new equipment or support for a specific program. For organizations looking to run an event or project with the money, the Palatine Jaycees are offering a Partnership Program to provide volunteer and leadership support.
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Organizations that benefit the Palatine community are encouraged to submit a proposal. Only online applications will be accepted.
The 2025 Community Grants Program will be announced in summer 2025.
Ken Blik Memorial Scholarships
2025 applications are now open!
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This year we will be awarding 5 scholarships of $3,000 each for local high school seniors who exemplify the values of the Palatine Jaycees, which include leadership and community service. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors who plan to continue their education. In addition, applicants must be residents of Palatine (ZIP code 60067 or 60074).
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This scholarship is designed for those who are leaders in their school and/or community. As the Jaycees strongly believe that service to humanity is the best work of life, we also value community service based leadership. Please note that while uploading a transcript is a portion of the application, this is not a GPA-based scholarship and applicants of all GPAs are highly encouraged to apply!
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Applications for the 2025 Ken Blik Memorial Scholarships must be received by June 1, 2025 to be considered.​​​​
Ken Blik was a key leader and founding member of the Palatine Jaycees and was chapter President in 1958. Ken passed away in 2019 however his love for giving back to the community is memorialized in this scholarship program.​
CONGRATULATIONS to 2024 scholarship winners:
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Jessica Gomez
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Usman Khalid
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Isaac Menning
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Isabel Pollpeter
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Morgan Wachler