Grand Junction Lions Club Carnival and Parade Is Canceled

It sounds like more bad news, but, wait. There's some really good news here.

As we might have expected, the Grand Junction Lions Club annual carnival and parade will not be held this year due to the pandemic. This will be the first time in 90 years the Lions have not done a carnival and parade.

Now, on with the good news. While the annual carnival won't be happening this year, the GJ Lions Club is still giving away thousands of dollars in prizes -- just as they do every year. The way they do that is through the sale of ticket books ranging from $25 to $250. The sale of these ticket books results in thousands of dollars being raised for the GJ Lions Club, which in turn, pours that money back into the community via grants to local non-profit organizations and agencies. The folks that purchase these books have the chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes from local businesses.

Earlier this week, the Grand Junction Lions Club was able to award some $90,000 to 12 local organizations, which is a great testament to the good this group does in our community year in and year out.

Crime Stoppers of Mesa County $1,500 Dip jars for donations

Powderhorn Mountain Resort Ski Patrol $1,720 AED defibrillators

Counseling & Education Center $7,000 Office equipment upgrades

Grand Mesa Nordic Council $2,500 Groomer

Appleton Elementary $500 Books

Community Food Bank of Grand Junction $10,000 Building renovations

Community Hospital $30,000 New Cancer Center

(1st installment of a multi-year grant totaling $75,000)

National Alliance on Mental Illness $5,000 Office equipment upgrades

Partner’s of Mesa County $10,000 New vehicle

Camp Hope $5,000 Bathroom/shower upgrades

Grand Valley Public Radio (KAFM) $7,500 HVAC equipment

CMU Foundation $10,000 Master’s occupational & physicians’

(1st installment of a multi-year grant totaling $50,000) assistant program building

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see what an amazing work the Grand Junction Lions Club is doing, but they can't do it without the support of the community. While you can't have fun at the carnival this year, you could still purchase a ticket book and help the Lions toward their next round of charitable grants. Those books are available from any Lions Club member, and it's quite likely you know at least one. If you don't, I'm sure you have friends that are friends of Lions. Ticket sales continue until February 20.

A tip of the hat to the Grand Junction Lions Club - thanks for being a great part of the Grand Junction community. Your spirit, kindness, and generosity help make the Grand Valley an incredible place to live and work. We look forward to seeing you at the carnival and parade next year.

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Filed Under: Grand Junction, Grand Junction Coronavirus

Categories: Grand Junction Events, Local News