By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
With three fundraisers for the annual Fourth of July fireworks show in the offing including one at the Cheeburger Cheeburger restaurant at the Mercer Mall today, Thursday Lawrence Township officials are closing in on the goal of raising $35,000 for the event.
About $24,600 has been raised so far, which includes a $2,500 donation from The Lawrenceville School that was received Monday, said Steven Groeger, the township Superintendent of Recreation. The money has been raised through donations from individuals and fundraisers.
Cheeburger Cheeburger is holding its fundraiser today from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at its location at 3349-3370 Brunswick Pike, at the Mercer Mall. The restaurant has pledged to donate 20 percent of all sales that occur between the 5:30 to 9 p.m. timeframe after patrons present a flier for the event.
Applebee’s restaurant plans to hold a “flapjack fundraiser breakfast” May 19 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the restaurant at 3330 Brunswick Pike (in front of the Quaker Bridge Mall). Tickets cost $7 for adults and $5 for children under 12 years old. They are available at the restaurant.
And on June 8, Captain Paul’s Firehouse Dogs has agreed to donate 20 percent of patrons’ purchases made between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., if they present a flier. Captain Paul’s is located at 2230 Princeton Pike, near the Lawrence Shopping Center.
The Lawrence Township Recreation Department has coordinated the private fundraising efforts for the Fourth of July fireworks show since 2010, when Township Council eliminated money for the show from the municipal budget.
”Our goal is to raise $30,000, but we would love to raise $35,000,” Mr. Groeger said. “We put on a $15,000 fireworks show last year, and we would like to do a $20,000 show this year. The objective is to raise enough money for a $20,000 show and have some money left over to kick off (fundraising) for 2014.”
Raising $35,000 means there would be more money left over as seed money for 2014, Mr. Groeger said. The idea is to get a head start on next year’s fundraising, he said, adding that it may be possible to produce “an even bigger and better show.”
In the meantime, canisters have been distributed to area businesses so customers can make a donation toward the fireworks show, Mr. Groeger said. There are canisters at Bossio’s Deli, Varsity Pizza, Dunkin Donuts and the Tastee Sub Shop, all on Lawrence Road in the Eldridge Park neighborhood.
There are canisters at Candela’s restaurant on Lawn Park Avenue, which is around the corner from the Lawrence Road businesses, and at Chuckles Pizza and Pasta restaurant at the Manors Corner Shopping Center on the Lawrenceville-Pennington Road.
Mr. Groeger said residents may send a check, made payable to the Lawrence Township Recreation Department, with a note in the memo line that says “fireworks,” to help raise money for the annual event. Whether the donation is 12 cents dropped into a canister or a check for $5, every penny counts, he said.
Mayor Jim Kownacki has been donating the $100 fee he receives for performing weddings, Mr. Groeger said. Mayor Kownacki and his predecessor, former Mayor Greg Puliti, agreed to donate the wedding ceremony fee toward the fireworks show.
For more information, call 609-844-7067.
