Above & Below PN Photos / In addition to countless contributions to service projects and humanitarian causes, the Jaycees mascot, Frank E. Fling, stands to remind the community that fundraising from the Naperville Jaycees’ Last Fling over Labor Day Weekend has been responsible for amenities along the Riverwalk such as the Jaycees Marina in 1983. In later years, their efforts funded the Jaycees Playground in 1990, Jaycees Gazebo in 2000, a carillon bell in Moser Tower and, most recently, Jaycees Park in 2019. The 2020 Naperville Last Fling has been canceled.
The Naperville Jaycees are disheartened to announce the cancellation of the 2020 Naperville Last Fling. This four-day community event was scheduled to take place over Labor Day Weekend from Sept. 4 through Labor Day, Sept. 7.
Because of the uncertain future for large-scale public gatherings due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, and following the Five Phase Plan announced by Governor Pritzker, the decision has been made to cancel the event for the health and safety of all of our guests, vendors, and volunteers.
Since last October, a committee of volunteers has invested countless hours working together to plan this event.
“I am so proud of the time and hard work that our volunteers have invested to plan such a great community event,” said President of the Naperville Jaycees Beth DeGeeter. “We are disappointed to not be able to host the Last Fling this year and raise money for local nonprofits, but we must put the safety of our community, vendors and volunteers first.”
The Jaycees are only able to host the Last Fling with generous sponsorships and donations from local businesses and organizations.
“The Naperville Jaycees is a nonprofit organization without the means to host such a large-scale event on its own. Due to the uncertainty created by the current pandemic, we cannot in good faith ask our local businesses and sponsors to fund and host the event,” said Last Fling Director Matthew Dingeldein. “Additionally, due to the current COVID-19 conditions and the restrictions mandated by the state, we concluded that we cannot guarantee the health and safety of our guests, vendors, sponsors, and volunteers by hosting this large community event.”
Jaycees Last Fling fundraiser benefits from community support
The Last Fling is the Naperville Jaycees’ largest fundraiser. Proceeds from the event are donated to many community organizations. In the past 20 years, the Jaycees have donated over two million dollars to nonprofit organizations in Naperville and throughout DuPage County. Although the service club will not be able to raise funds through the Last Fling, members hope to support these worthy causes through several fundraisers and food drives in the coming months.
Jaycees Last Fling organizers expressed gratitude in their news release:
“The Jaycees thank you for your understanding and support of the Last Fling. We also want to thank our past volunteers and sponsors who have continued to support us throughout these uncertain months. We encourage everyone in our community to continue supporting our local businesses and donating to local charitable organizations. We look forward to celebrating the community at the 2021 Naperville Last Fling!”
The Naperville Jaycees is a not-for-profit service organization with more than 100 young persons dedicated to providing Naperville area residents with the opportunity to better themselves and to grow personally and professionally while giving through community service and fundraising efforts. Membership is open to anyone.
For more information, visit www.naperjaycees.org or contact jcinfo@naperjaycees.org.
Story submitted by McKenzie Kuhn, Public Relations Chair for the 2020 Naperville Last Fling. (PN File Photos)
