Julie Ann (Jetjet) Gruezo, President of The Chicago Magnificent Lions Club

By: Ryan Tejero

 

Known as the world’s largest service club organization, Lions Clubs International is estimated to have close to 1.5 million members, with more than 45,000 clubs spread through more than 200 countries. The history of this magnificent organization started in 1917, with goals that are directed at fighting blindness, and recruiting volunteers who are mobilized to provide support and assistance to various community projects, such as caring for the environment, feeding the hungry and aiding seniors and the disabled.

Lions Clubs International’s role in the community is dynamic which includes serving the youth and children, establishing scholarship projects for them to stay in school, recreation and mentoring program – all aimed at keeping international peace and understanding. Its youth volunteer arm through the Leo Program, provides the youth of the world with an opportunity for personal development through volunteering. There are approximately 144,000 Leos and 5,700 Leo clubs in more than 140 countries worldwide.

One of the most significant projects of Lions is that they award grants. Since 1968, the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) has awarded more than US$700 million in grants to support Lions humanitarian projects around the world. LCIF was also ranked the number one nongovernmental organization in a 2007 study by The Financial Times. Lions help during disasters. Together, our Foundation and Lions are helping communities following natural disasters by providing for immediate needs such as food, water, clothing and medical supplies – and aiding in long-term reconstruction.

Lions was built on its motto, “We Serve.” It operates globally and endeavors to do whatever is necessary to help local communities.

One of the most active Lions Clubs here in Illinois is the Chicago Magnificent Lions Club (CMLC). Currently headed by JulieAnn Gruezo or Jetjet, as she is fondly called in the community, CMLC has been home to Fil Am’s most dedicated and highly acclaimed leaders. During the interview, Jetjet expressed that “I am truly honored to be a part of a Global and International Associations, like the Lions Club International. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be inducted as its new Charter President. Under my leadership, I vow to deliver and uphold the highest standards of advancing the ideals of Lions Club which is to be of service to the community.”

CMLC was chartered on May 30, 2015, as the newest Club, it started with 30 group members of talented business-oriented friends. This small group meets everyWednesday night at Jetjet’s business office. Jetjet said that she feels comfortable about leading CMLC because of her previous community involvement.

At the personal level, she has been doing Dental Missions to benefit numerous orphanages in the Philippines. She has also been leading food distribution initiatives through the Share Food and Educational Program of the Batangas group in Chicago where she became its former president. She recalled her efforts in distribution of sacks of rice, canned goods, as well as computers and printers for the benefit of grade school students in Sta. Clara Elementary School in Batangas City, Philippines.

With her unquestionable background in community building, both here in Chicago and in the Philippines, Jetjet has been a recipient to many awards and recognitions. This year, about two months ago, Jetjet received the highest Lions International Award, which is the Melvin Jones Award.

Jetjet is known for her beauty inside and out. She shows up in community events always looking stunning. She became Ms. Dentistry during the college days, and was featured in a number of print ad commercials as a model. She was crowned as Ms. Batangas City, then Mrs. Batangas City, Mrs. Asian- Philippines and Mrs. Philippines 2009 for Philippine Independence Week Committee, and a recipient of Fil-AM TV Hall of Fame award in 2009.

While busy with her community involvement, Jetjet also keeps her time for her family’s foundation that she founded. The Six (6) Lucky J’s Foundation is her family’s way of giving back to the less fortunate but very talented youth back in the Philippines by providing them with scholarship grants. The 6 Lucky J’s are Jocelyn, Jeannette, Jess, Jetjet, Joyvit and Jojo.

After the much-anticipated success of CMLC fundraising event for The Governor’s Night andAnniversary Celebration, Jetjet prepares to embark on sharing the food program before this year ends. Her leadership will continue to work on Feed the Starving Children project, Soup Kitchens, and volunteering for senior care during the Holidays and while celebrating her Birthdays.

Jetjet expresses her gratitude to all of her supporters and the officers and members of The CMLC, most especially to the First Vice President, Lion JR Roque, Secretary Lion Lorna Brinson, and Lion Treasurer, Edwin Pineda. She also sends her special thank you to her family, her mother – Mrs. Tina Gruezo and her two loving daughters – Jeselle Jayme & Jian Jett Obina. She said that “my daughters are my Rocks, they never stop to amaze me with their incredible intelligence and talents. They are my inspiration and the biggest blessings I live for.”##

(1) Jetjet Gruezo, Chicago Magnificent Lions Club President.; (2) Jetjet shares a moment with her two daughters: (L) Jzl Jayme Obina, her eldest daughter who works in Vogue Magazine and (R) is her youngest daughter Jian Jett, who works at The Gwen Boutique Hotel Downtown, Chicago.