If you've ever enjoyed the Mardi Gras parade in Columbia or hung out at the pavilion at Glatfelter Memorial Field, you have the Columbia Jaycees to thank. The now-defunct organization played an active role in bettering the Columbia community for over 50 years. To celebrate, the Jaycees recently held a reunion that drew more than 30 former members.

The reunion was spearheaded by Sandy Baker, Joan Inman and Peg Sload. "We would run into each other or other Jaycees members and we kept saying, 'We need to have a reunion,'" Baker noted. "We never did until one day we said, 'OK, that's it. We're going to do this.'" The three women began planning the reunion in January, and it was held on March 26 at the American Legion Post 372 in Columbia.

"We had 14 past presidents of Jaycees there," said Baker, who was the first female president of the club. "We had people come from as far away as Philadelphia and New York."

For the reunion, the organizers decided to bring back some of the elements of a typical Jaycees meeting. "We started off the reunion like our Jaycees meeting, with the Pledge of Allegiance. We also did some 'Did you know?' facts about the club," Baker said. "We ended with the Jaycees Creed, and then we spent time telling stories and things we remembered."

For Baker, Jaycees holds many fond memories. "I liked being a part of it because we did so much good for others," she said. "We supported the community. I especially liked being part of the parade."

Founded in 1920, the Jaycees is a nationwide organization that promotes leadership and civic participation. Also known as the Junior Chamber, the nonprofit organization is open to people between the ages of 18 and 40. Columbia's chapter began in 1947 but folded in 2000.

"We all enjoyed being part of Jaycees, and we had a lot of fun at the reunion," Baker said. "It was so great to see people we hadn't seen in years and have the chance to catch up. ... Everybody wants to have another reunion."