With two fundraisers for the annual Fourth of July fireworks show in the offing, Lawrence Township officials are closing in on the goal of raising $35,000 for this year’s event.
By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
With two fundraisers for the annual Fourth of July fireworks show in the offing, Lawrence Township officials are closing in on the goal of raising $35,000 for this year’s event.
The fireworks show is set for July 5 at Rider University, with a rain date of July 6, said Steven Groeger, the township superintendent of recreation. The Lawrence Township calendar that was mailed to all Lawrence residents incorrectly listed July 4 as the date for the fireworks show.
As in past years, Kindred Spirits will provide music, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The first fireworks shells will be launched around 9:45 p.m., Mr. Groeger said. Spectators should bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on.
About $28,000 has been raised, which includes a $2,500 donation from The Lawrenceville School, Mr. Groeger said. The money has been raised through donations from individuals and by fundraisers.
Two more fundraisers are planned for this month — one at Yodel: Frozen Yogurt at 2480 Brunswick Pike (next to the Colonial Lanes bowling and entertainment center) and another one at Stewart’s Drive-In at 2653 Brunswick Pike.
Yodel: Frozen Yogurt is holding its fundraiser June 15 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Stewart’s Drive-In is holding its fundraiser June 22 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The businesses will donate 20 percent of a customer’s bill toward the fireworks show.
A flier must be presented at the time of the customer’s purchase. Fliers for the Yodel: Frozen Yogurt and Stewart’s Drive-In fundraisers are available on the Recreation Department’s page on the Lawrence Township website at www.lawrencetwp.com.
Depending on the amount of money raised in the next couple of weeks, the size of this year’s fireworks show might increase, Mr. Groeger said. At this point, there is enough money to produce a $15,000 fireworks show. There is a June 28 deadline to finalize the size of this year’s fireworks show.
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 in change 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.
”The hope is that between the donations, the fundraisers and the canisters, the public will demonstrate the desire to have a special occasion (on the Fourth of July). The past couple of years, they have done that (through their contributions),” he added.
Mr. Groeger said the township Recreation Department is “absolutely” ready to help any group that would like to hold a fireworks fundraiser, by contacting the department weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 609-844-7067.