Above / The Jaycees Rooster Bucket Shakers have been a regular feature of the Labor Day Parade for years, always collecting funds along the parade route for worthy causes and unmet charitable needs. In fact, bucket-shaker and J.C.I. Senator Al DeGeeter is depicted in the Century Walk mural where hundreds of spectators are painted to show that Naperville Loves a Parade and the generous community spirit every parade represents.
In response to the devastating circumstances millions of individuals in the greater Houston area are experiencing resulting from Hurricane Harvey, the Naperville Jaycees will be collecting cash donations at all Jaycee ticket and beverage sale booths during the Last Fling this Labor Day weekend, Sept.1 through Sept. 4.
The four-day outdoor music and entertainment festival held along the Riverwalk and Jackson Ave. in downtown Naperville is the service club’s biggest fundraiser, set for 52 years to benefit mostly local initiatives and charities.
Just as the Jaycees did in 2005 when Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, the Jaycees again will step up to help beyond local borders, by assisting fundraising for the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
According to Jaycees President Jim Groat, this year clearly-marked containers will be placed next at all Last Fling Ticket and Beverage sales locations run by the Naperville Jaycees and 100 percent of those funds—pocket change, dollar bills, checks— collected will be contributed to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
Helen Taylor, Executive Director of the Last Fling, added that throughout the grounds of the Last Fling, the Jaycees will have Hurricane Harvey fundraising buckets at any secure place they can collect money.
The Naperville Jaycees are working in cooperation with the City of Naperville and other local civic leaders, too, mindful that all the unmet needs created by the horrific hurricane devastation along the Gulf Coast have yet to be identified.
“While the total need is not yet known, a response also is needed now, and the Jaycees ask for your help,” said Jaycees Rooster Paul DeKruiff, Labor Day Parade Chairman.
“Mayor Emeritus Pradel will be leading the bucket shakers along the parade route and collecting donations,’ added Jaycees Rooster Ray Kinney. “Checks made out to the American Red Cross or Salvation Army with “Hurricane Harvey” in the memo also will be collected.”
2017 Last Fling runs September 1-4
The Labor Day Last Fling Parade begins at 10AM Mon., Sept. 4.
For info about every day at the Naperville Jaycees Last Fling event this weekend, visit www.lastfling.org.
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