The 2014 edition of Lawrence Township’s annual Fourth of July fireworks show is three months away, but fundraising efforts to pay for the show are well underway
By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
The 2014 edition of Lawrence Township’s annual Fourth of July fireworks show is three months away, but fundraising efforts to pay for the show are well underway — beginning with “Dining to Donate” at Applebee’s restaurant next month.
The Lawrence Township Recreation Department is spearheading the fundraising effort, which began as soon as the last fireworks shell was discharged at last year’s fireworks show at Rider University, according to Steven Groeger, the township’s superintendent of recreation.
The goal is to raise enough money to pay for a $20,000 fireworks show, just like the 2013 show, Mr. Groeger said. It actually costs about $28,000, when the ancillary costs — the musical group, for example — are factored into the equation.
Meanwhile, Applebee’s restaurant — which is located on Brunswick Pike, adjacent to the Quaker Bridge Mall — has agreed to donate 10-percent of a patron’s check on April 23, if the patron presents a flyer to the server. The flyer can be downloaded from the Lawrence Township Recreation Department’s page on the municipal website at www.lawrencetwp.com.
Captain Paul’s Firehouse Dogs is gearing up for a June 7 fundraiser, in which it will donate 20-percent of a patron’s check to the fireworks fund, Mr. Groeger said. The fundraiser will be held between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m.
A flyer for Captain Paul’s Firehouse Dogs also is available on the Recreation Department page, Mr. Groeger said. The flyer must be presented to the restaurant, which is near the Lawrence Shopping Center on Princeton Pike.
Additional fundraisers are being planned for Chee’burger Chee’burger and the Colonial Bowling and Entertainment center on Brunswick Pike, across from the Lawrence Shopping Center, Mr. Groeger said. Dates have not yet been set for those events.
But township residents who want to contribute to the cause do not have to wait for the fundraisers, he said. They can mail a check, made payable to the Lawrence Township Recreation Department, with a note in the memo line that says “fireworks,” to help raise money. Whether it is $5 or $500, every bit helps, he said.
And there are canisters spread out at businesses throughout Lawrence Township, in which people can drop some spare change. There are canisters at Varsity Pizza & Subs, Dunkin Donuts, Candela’s restaurant, Chuckles Pizza & Pasta restaurant and Tastee Subs Shop.
Canisters also have been placed at Fedora’s Café, TJ’s Pizzeria, the Purple Cow, Maidehead Bagel Co., Bossio’s Deli, the Luck 7 Deli and Café Domenico.
”Right now, we do not have enough money to put on a $20,000 fireworks show,” Mr. Groeger said. “In order to get to that point, we need to raise money. If we do not have enough money, we will put on a smaller show.”

