Sean C. Morgan
The 2013 Sportsman’s Holiday fireworks display has been funded – and then some.
The Sweet Home Volunteer Firefighters Association has been seeking donations to cover the cost of the fireworks display. The association’s traditional fund-raising events haven’t covered the cost in recent years, and donations have been required to ensure the annual event is held.
The association display is held on Saturday of Sportsman’s Holiday, July 12 this year, at Foster Lake.
After a story appeared last month in The New Era, said Chris Forum, president, the association received two sizable donations, a total of $3,000.
One was from an anonymous donor, and the second was from Pat and Ival McCollum, Forum said.
The department has received other donations, of $25 on up.
A&W hosted a fund-raising event on May 6, collecting some $1,100.
With additional donations directly to the department, the association has collected $4,300 for the fireworks display, Forum said.
Ron Carter and Nelia Taraski help with the dishes.
The association needed about $3,500, he said. “So we’ll be putting on the fireworks display this year.”
There are usually a few additional costs, and the extra will be used to cover that, Forum said.
Another fund-raising event remains under way. Nancy Patton is operating an online auction on behalf of the fireworks display.
“It sounds like she’s had a good turnout,” Forum said.
“Things are going well,” he said. “It’s a happy surprise. The community has really stepped up. We just go out there, hold a boot or wash dishes.
“A big thank you to the ones that have donated.”