Elizabeth Deedy and Corey LeClair collect donations for the Southwick Fireworks at the town transfer station. Another collection is scheduled for June 11 from 5:30-7:20 p.m. at the station. (Hope E. Tremblay Photo)
SOUTHWICK – Once again, the town is keeping tradition alive with the annual fireworks display, one donation at a time.
When the fireworks were nearly canceled several years ago due to lack of funding, residents stepped up to continue the tradition that started with the 1948 Southwick Fireman’s Carnival. Since then the nonprofit Southwick Civic Fund has spearheaded collecting donations and this year needs to raise $11,000 to cover costs of the July 20 event.
Last week Elizabeth Deedy and Corey LeClair took advantage of the good weather to collect donations at the entrance to the Transfer Station.
“We collected $740 on Saturday. Which puts us at $1,387.89 in total donations,” Deedy said. “People always tell us at these donation pop ups that all they have is change I tell them that every penny counts. I will roll coins to make these numbers work.”
Deedy said it is important to support town events, such as the fireworks.
“If the Southwick Civic Fund didn’t step up to this challenge three years ago, who knows if the town would have a July fireworks celebration,” she said. “I am so heavily involved in this and many other programs the Civic Fund conducts because I want future generations in this town to experience a sense of community.”
This year, the fireworks celebration includes a bonfire, food vendors, bounce house, a DJ and more. Fireworks take place at the American Legion Post 338, also home to Southwick’s Motocross, at 46 Powder Mill Road.
Donations can be made at southwickcivicfund.org with Paypal, drop-off at Moolicious where there is a lock-box to the left of the main entrance, or mailed to Southwick Civic Fund, 258 Feeding Hills Road, Southwick, MA 01077. Organizers ask that all check and Paypal donation indicate “fireworks” in the memo.
Another pop-up donation collection is set for June 11 from 5:30 to 7:20 p.m. at the town transfer station.
