BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD – Volunteers who have worked on the Memorial Day Parade Committee need a little help from their friends.
The Memorial Day parade in downtown Freehold has been an event that residents and visitors look forward to each May. Parade officials do not want to disappoint the community this year, but unless additional funding comes along the parade may not be what it usually is.
Parade committee chairwoman Alice McCobb and her 15 fellow volunteers are trying to secure additional funds to make the 2007 edition of the parade everything people expect it to be – but the task has not been easy.
“I don’t think people realize how much it costs to put on this parade,” McCobb said. “I think many people believe everything in the parade is free.”
She said parade costs generally run between $4,000 and $5,000. A request for donations last fall fell well below the funds needed.
Borough Councilman Jaye Sims, who is the liaison to the parade committee, said many people assume that Freehold Borough pays for the parade. He said the town does not give money to the parade committee, but does provide the services of police officers and public works employees to work on the day of the parade – all at overtime wages.
Sims has suggested the idea of approaching business owners to participate in some type of fundraiser. He suggested that business owners might agree to set aside a certain time when a portion of proceeds from sales would be donated to the committee.
A spaghetti dinner will be held on April 28 from 5-8 p.m. at the VFW post, Waterworks Road, Freehold Township. Tickets for the event will be $7.
The committee members met on Jan. 24 to begin planning this year’s parade and to discuss the fundraising effort.
Among the items the committee is still looking to secure for this year’s parade are trophies and plaques.
McCobb said the Township Committee in Freehold Township has committed to paying for two professional bands at a cost of $1,600. She said the committee needs more donations to cover the cost of additional music.
Although the parade traditionally has the Freehold High School and Freehold Township High School bands as well as the Freehold Intermediate School jazz band performing, McCobb said there are openings for other bands. She is encouraging grammar school bands to come and play in the parade.
“People want music in the parade,” McCobb said. “They just have no idea how much that music costs.”
Anyone wishing to donate funds for the Memorial Day parade may call Borough Hall for more information at (732) 462-1410.