Leadership development through community involvement has been the basis of the Jaycees since its 1920 inception. This year, the Illinois chapter—the largest in the nation—will honor two Peoria-area residents through its Outstanding Young Persons of Illinois awards program.
Deric Kimler, 30, of Peoria Heights is being recognized in the category of “Humanitarian and/or Volunteer Leadership.” He is executive director of Central Illinois Friends, a public health organization offering comprehensive sexual education; HIV, Hepatitis C and STI testing; and related services. Kimler also works with Peoria Public Schools to provide sexual health education, serves as president of the Region 2 HIV/STI Advisory Board, and is president and co-chair of Illinois Partners for Human Service. He has directed musicals for Corn Stock and Peoria Players Theatre, coaches baseball in the Williamsfield Men’s League, and is pursuing a master’s degree in nonprofit leadership at Bradley University.
Julie Locke Moore, 36, of Washington is being recognized in the category of “Contribution to Children, World Peace and/or Human Rights.” She founded the DAX Foundation in 2010 to honor her son, Dax Ryan Locke, who lost his fight with leukemia when he was just two years old. The foundation’s mission is to help the children and families of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She also sits on the board of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois and served as co-chair of the successful capital campaign to build a Ronald McDonald House in Peoria. PM
For more information, visit iljaycees.org/toyp-2020.
- Log in to post comments
