By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
The evening skies over Rider University will be much brighter on the Fourth of July, thanks to a $10,000 donation from the university that has pushed the township’s fundraising goal for the fireworks show past the $20,000 mark.
The university, which has hosted Lawrence Township’s annual fireworks show on its campus for nearly two decades, made its contribution last week, said Steven Groeger, the township’s superintendent of recreation.
The township has not funded the fireworks show through the municipal budget since 2009 because of budget concerns.
That’s when the private fundraising effort coordinated by the Recreation Department was launched. Privately raised money paid for the fireworks shows in 2010 and 2011.
Now, with the $10,000 donation in hand, township officials have raised $23,000 for the 2012 show and the contributions are still coming in, Mr. Groeger said. The township received a $450 donation from Captain Paul’s Firehouse Dogs as the result of a fundraiser.
”I didn’t expect the $10,000 donation,” he said.
He noted that Rider has typically contributed $5,000 for the fireworks display, including the 2011 show. But this year, the school made a larger contribution.
Other major contributors to the fireworks show include The Lawrenceville School, which donated $2,500; the Greenacres Country Club, which gave $1,000; and the law firm of Mason Griffin & Pierson, which gave $500.
Following in the footsteps of former mayors, Mayor Jim Kownacki donated $2,200 from the fees paid to him for performing marriage ceremonies. The senior citizens at the Lawrence Senior Center have donated more than $800, and the collection canisters at various township businesses have netted more than $150.
Smaller donations from individuals have totaled more than $500, Mr. Groeger said. Those checks range from $5 to $25 or $75. There is still time to contribute toward the fireworks show, he said, adding that he must give the final show display size to the vendor by June 27. More money means a larger show.
”What we intend to do is to increase the size of the fireworks show,” he said. “We don’t want to use all of our money for this year’s show. If we have some extra money, we will split it (between the 2012 and 2013 shows). We will have more money in the coffers for next year.”
Mr. Groeger said he had already contacted the company that provides the fireworks show and asked them to include more shells in the display. The cost of the show will be increased from $10,500 which is the amount that has been spent the last couple of years to $12,000 because of Rider University’s donation, he said.
While the fireworks shells cost about $12,000, the rest of the money will be spent on entertainment and the overtime costs for police officers and the fire marshal.
”We are good to go for this year, but we would like to do more (fireworks),” he said. “The show is typically 20 minutes long. We try to keep the fireworks shells in the air (during that time). Our objective is to maintain something in the air, so there is no time when skies are empty.”
Checks payable to Lawrence Township can be sent to the Lawrence Township Recreation Department at 2207 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648. Donors should write “fireworks” on the memo line on the check.

