Southwick K-9 Police Officer Thomas Krutka, second from left, presents a check for $500 from the Southwick Police Association to Southwick Park and Recreation Committee member Kelly Magni, second from right, during a brief ceremony in front of the Southwick Police Department last night. Joining in the ceremony are Southwick Police Officer Rhett Bannish, left, and Cory Flagg, right, and his son Tate. The donation will be used to help fund the Southwick Independence Day fireworks display. Flagg was instrumental in organizing the fundraiser. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – After reading about the Park and Recreation Commission’s fireworks concerns in The Westfield News earlier this week, resident Cory Flagg decided he needed to help keep the tradition alive.
“This was never a problem when I was a kid and I want the kids of Southwick today to have fireworks and carnivals,” said Flagg, the father of a three year-old.
Parks and Rec. Chairman Kelly Magni said this week that the fireworks budget was slashed to just $1,800. Normally, he said, the budget is not too much higher but he and his family were able to make up the shortfall by parking cars at the property that is now Whalley Park during the annual Fireman’s Carnival. This year, the carnival is not likely to take place because of construction at the school campus where the carnival is held.
The town fireworks display has coincided with the carnival in the past.
“I saw that article and I got on Facebook and started talking to people,” said Flagg. “Everyone was upset. I have a three year-old and I can’t imagine going without fireworks, so I decided to get everyone together.”
One of the people Flagg spoke to via Facebook was Southwick Police Officer Thomas Krutka.
“We talked about fundraising ideas and I decided to get involved,” Krutka said.
He brought the idea to the Southwick Police Association and the members agreed it was a worthy cause and quickly donated $500 toward the fireworks. Now, they hope others will follow suit.
“I’m hoping to challenge local businesses to donate, as well,” said Krutka.
Flagg and his family have organized a community car wash to benefit the fireworks fund.
The wash is set for Saturday, June 7 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Village Pizza parking lot.
“We want it to be a kid-friendly, fun wash,” said Flagg. “We’ll wash cars, trucks, motorcycles – whatever you have! And if you don’t have anything to wash, you can come down and make a donation.”
Flagg said this is his first time organizing a fundraising effort, but he was compelled to do it to keep the tradition of Southwick fireworks intact.
“I really want the kids in town to enjoy it,” he said.
Magni’s concern, in addition to funds, was location. Normally, the fireworks are set off on school property, which cannot happen this year. Magni said he was hopeful they could be held at Whalley Park, but with a punch list of items left to complete before the park can open, he couldn’t be sure to set a date at this time.
Flagg said he is working with his employer to secure a location on Sheep Pasture Road as an alternative. Born and raised here, Flagg is committed to ensuring a fun future for Southwick’s youngest residents.
“There isn’t much to do for kids so I don’t want to take away the carnival and fireworks,” said Flagg, who also hopes to work out a way to keep the carnival.
