Programs that Benefit from ECSC Profits

“Kids to Camp”
The “Kids to Camp” project raises funds to send local kids with physical and mental challenges to Camp Virginia Jaycee (http://www.campvajc.org/). The special camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains outside Roanoke, Va., offers these children with mental retardation the opportunity to enjoy an active and fun week under the care of staff and counselors who are trained to work with the disabled. The camp allows the children to participate in a traditional summer camp experiences, outdoors education and recreation. Support of this tournament will greatly assist the Virginia Beach Jaycees in their mission to provide a positive and rewarding experience for each of these youngsters.

Christmas Shopping Tour
The Christmas Shopping Tour program began in 1983 to offer economically disadvantaged children the ability to purchase presents for their loved ones during the holiday season. The children are escorted to area stores by Jaycee members as the child selects gifts for their parents, siblings and close family. Then it’s back to the Jaycee building to wrap gifts at a party, complete with Santa and gifts for the children.

Flame of Hope Memorial
In 1971, the Jaycees embarked on a project to build a memorial in honor of the POWs /MIAs that became known as the Flame of Hope Memorial. The Virginia Beach chapter lobbied the U.S. Navy to permit the construction of a gas-fired torch representing a flame of hope, an eternal reminder of the POW’s and MIA’s from Vietnam.

The Navy Seabees and the Jaycees established a permanent location near the entrance to NAS Oceana known as Jet Observation Park. A few years later due to the lack of fuel funds, an oil crisis and the public’s disenchantment with the Vietnam era, the Flame of Hope had to be extinguished.

By 1983, the community’s interest in the memorial renewed and the relighting ceremony of the Flame of Hope was held with delivering remarks from President Ronald Reagan. Since that day, the Flame of Hope has continued to burn. The fuel fund for the memorial is continually replenished by the Jaycees so that the flame will never go out until our missing service members are home.