The Rotary Club presented Team Justice Racing with a $4,000 check for the Southwick Fireworks fund. (Photo courtesy of Greg Fitzpatrick)
SOUTHWICK – The Save the Southwick Fireworks fund received a very sizable donation on Wednesday night. Members of the Rotary Club presented a $4,000 check to Team Justice Racing, who is the local organization co-heading the fundraising efforts.
Kevin Bishop, the President of Team Justice Racing, was at the Southwick Police Department to receive the check, along with kids of Team Justice, who volunteer. Unable to attend the exchange was Moolicious Ice Cream Owner Joe Deedy, who has been coordinating the fireworks fund with Bishop.
Representing the Rotary Club for the check presentation was President Chris Boyd, past President Rick Anderson and fellow member Ellen Miles.
The Rotary Club saw an opportunity to assist Bishop and Deedy in their quest to raise enough money for the 2017 fireworks.
“Even though the Rotary Club didn’t feel that they could sustain the cost for this sort of thing, we felt it was really our opportunity to give back to the community,” said Miles. “We want to keep the tradition going.”
Last reported by the Westfield News on July 5, there was just under $4,500 left to fundraise of the initial $11,000 that was needed for the purchase of the fireworks, police and fire detail, and the permits to go along with it.
The two individuals behind the Save the Southwick Fireworks fund were appreciative of the Rotary Club’s donation.
“I appreciate the check from Rotary for $4,000,” said Deedy. “I can’t thank the Rotary enough.”
Deedy did note that $2,500 of the $4,000 check that came from the Rotary Club, was from Danny Scibelli of Scibelli’s Mobile Station on College Hwy. The $2,500 check that Scibelli wrote to the Rotary Club, was the proceeds from the helicopter rides that Scibelli received at last year’s Southwick Days.
“I appreciate the check for $4,000 because at last year’s event, Mr. Scibelli had given $2,500 of that check after the event,” said Deedy.
“I know how much he wanted to have that money for this year.”
According to Deedy, he’s not completely sure if the $4,000 puts them over the $11,000 hump, but he said a $2,000 check is expected to be coming from Westfield Bank this week, and that should cause them to reach their goal.
Bishop made it clear that they are still looking for donations, as it could help give them a jump start for the coming years.
“Even if we reach our goal, we’re still accepting donations because we have big plans next year,” said Bishop.
Having a key involvement in helping raise the money, the Team Justice kids were praised for their volunteer work, holding buckets around town the last few weeks, trying to raise money for the fireworks.
“I want to thank the kids from Team Justice for their efforts they’ve been into this for helping raise the money,” said Bishop.
The fireworks are expected to start at just after 9 p.m. on Saturday with the preliminary celebrations beginning at 6 p.m. in the pits of the motocross track on Powder Mill Road. There will be food and drink vendors, along with pony rides and a bonfire.
