Jaycees give more than $200,000 to area charities

Brainerd Jaycees officials announced Friday they will donate $211,528 to more than 65 area charities from money raised at the $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza in January.

"This year's event was a great success," said Taylor Fitterer, 2007 chairman. "We're very excited to impact so many other community events and charities."

The money was raised Jan. 20, with help from more than 450 volunteers and 10,500 anglers.

"It truly is a community effort and we'd like to thank everyone who had a part in making this a successful event," Fitterer said.

During the 17-year history of the Extravaganza, the Jaycees have donated more than $2 million to area charities and events. Camp Confidence, the Extravaganza's largest beneficiary, received the third-largest check in event history. Overall donations this year ranked in the top five all-time. 2004 was the record-setting year, both in money raised and people attending the Extravaganza.

"We were blown away with this year's donation," said Jeff Olson, executive director at Camp Confidence. "The Jaycees have donated more than $1 million to Camp Confidence over the years and they're our single biggest donor."

The Jaycees gave Camp Confidence its honorary check on March 3. All other beneficiaries can expect to receive their donations by mid-May.

Next year's 18th annual Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza is scheduled Jan. 18 on Gull Lake. Brian Sedlachek of Navigator Financial Group will be the 2008 chairman. For more information, go to www.icefishing.org.