Posted on August 21, 2023 at 12:25 PM by Emily Saveraid
“Do all the good you can” was the motto Jacy McAlexander lived by.
As a very active 4-H member, Jacy participated in a variety of project areas and had many projects advance to the State Fair. He utilized the skills he learned to help organize and lead workshops during his time on the County Council as well as State 4-H Council. Jacy was often recognized during his time as a 4-H’er including a three time Calhoun County Outstanding 4-H member, PPI award at state fair, National 4-H Congress and National 4-H Conference attendee and Iowa 4-H Foundation Contributing 4-H Youth Award.
Jacy was first diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma cancer when he was 8 years old. During treatment, he received therapy from a child life specialist. Because the specialist provided such fun during a scary time, Jacy wanted to say thank you. He held a garage sale, selling his old toys and books and donated the proceeds to the specialist.
During his treatment, he also learned about the Ronald McDonald House. He started saving pop tabs when he was challenged to collect 1,000,000 tabs (over 800 pounds). To help meet his goal, Jacy recruited everyone he knew. It took about 3 years, but he was able to meet that goal and immediately started on a new goal to collect a ton of tabs. Jacy was pretty sure he met his goal in May 2018, but he passed away before the tabs could be officially weighed and turned in.
Jacy left such a strong impression on his friends, family, and the 4-H community that Iowa 4-H’ers have continued to collect pop tabs in Jacy’s memory. To date over 12,000 pounds of tabs have been collected for the Ronald McDonald House.
Jacy wanted people to know that everyone can do something to help others. Even if it is something as simple as pulling the tab off your can when you finish a drink. In an interview shortly before he passed away, Jacy challenged everyone to find something that needs done in their local area and get to it.
