Forward Janesville - TheReport - Second Quarter 2020

GIVING KINDNESS Health Care and Declarations to Physicians (Living Wills) for all Rock County residents free of charge until May 31, 2020. To get the process started, residents simply visit Nowlan.com and fill out a brief form. Milton East school teacher Leslie Brissette started an international phenomenon when she launched the Happy Heart Hunt Faceboo k Group, encouraging people to create artistic, heart-filled windows to bring cheer during this difficult time and offer children out walking a fun diversion. The group now has over a quarter of a million members across the globe. Almost immediately after the crisis began, the Janesville/Rock County Support Local Businesses During Covid- 19 Facebook Group was started by Katie Myers and Erika Sloniker as a way to encourage community members to support local businesses in new and creative ways, like taking advantage of take out or other socially distant options for service. The Janesville YMCA kicked off a #fitkittogo program, lending out equipment for Group Power/Strength Train Together to facilitate online classes. The YMCA also launched a number of Fitness Challenges on Facebook to keep community members fit and engaged during Safer at Home. Food insecurity becomes even more pronounced and critical during a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. Local restaurants Citrus Cafe and Whiskey Ranch are generously providing free, hot meals to those in need, including the unemployed, disabled and elderly, each serving about 10 to 15 meals per day. Velocity Multi-Sport has been cooking lunch Monday through Friday and inviting anyone in need of a meal to drop by and pick one up for free. Velocity also offers free bike service pick up and delivery. Local non-profit professional Ian Hedges used one of his first few quarantined evenings to create Rock County Tip Jar , an online site where patrons can virtually tip their favorite service workers during the shut down. To provide support to essential workers, Hometown Hub has been accepting donations and using the funds to deliver healthy shakes and teas to frontline staff to say thank you. Through the month of April, the Janesville Jets teamed up with ECHO, Inc., to help raise funds for their pantry so no family has to go without food, especially during this challenging time. ECHO historically serves about 3,600 households each year and saw a dramatic increase in those seeking services beginning in mid-March. To keep things entertaining and do good, Timber Hill Winery took its Wineo Bingo online with proceeds benefitting pet rescue Friends of Noah. Timber Hill has also been hosting multiple live streaming music events and other events to make social distancing a bit more fun. JPAC’s Virtual Venue Home Sessions began on March 27, hosting one performance per week streamed live on JPAC’s Facebook Page to continue to support and foster the creative community. In April, the Rock County Board of Supervisors approved a $1 million emergency loan program: the Rock County COVID-19 Emergency Small Business Loan Fund (SBLF). The fund is designed to assist small businesses in Rock County that are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Janesville fabric mill Monterey Mills quickly altered its business to manufacture tens of thousands of cloth barrier face masks for health care workers and others to use as they treat patients during the coronavirus pandemic. Janesville-based CBD manufacturer Simply Solutions altered their manufacturing operation to make hand sanitizer to address shortages and support public health. SECOND QUARTER 2020 • 9