Local Lions clubs have made the tough decision to cancel their 2020 Rose & Carnation Sale as well as Rose Day 2020, which was scheduled throughout Rock County for April 17-18.
All individuals and businesses who made advance purchases will be refunded in the coming weeks. The Janesville Lions Club will soon be in communication with its buyers, and Lions clubs in Milton and Beloit will do the same.
“We believe this is the proper decision, given the severe risk of the COVID-19 virus,” said Janesville Lions Club President Julie Raese. “The health and safety of our community members is our top priority and we need to do what is best for everyone.”
While no quarantine currently exists, the potential for limitations on products coming into the country could happen at any time which would put a larger burden on the number of refunds that would need to occur at a later date.
The Lions Rose & Carnation Sale is an annual tradition dating back several decades. It is the Janesville club’s largest annual fundraiser, with all profits going to benefit our community projects and services, such as vision screening for P4J and kindergarten students and improvements to the Lions Beach facility, Janesville Schools Outdoor Lab, and other local facilities. Our club members are working on ideas on how to replace this revenue so these projects and donations can continue.
Our hope is to process all refunds in the next 30 days. We thank everyone for their ongoing support, and invite the community to join us at our other large annual fundraiser, the Lions Club Chicken Roast at Riverside Park in Janesville on Sunday, Aug. 16 in collaboration with the Friends of Riverside Music Festival.