Post by twista on Jul 12, 2011 6:06:33 GMT -6
OUR VIEW: Never too early to raise money for fireworks
Share 07/11/2011, 8:25 pm
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THE ISSUE: Ottawa, Streator already planning for next year's showsOUR VIEW: Various types of fundraising helps these activities continue
A mere three days after fireworks lit up Ottawa's skies for the city's Independence Day celebration, organizers met to discuss ways to raise money for the 2012 event.
Ottawa First, the group that funds most of the pyrotechnics display, was thinking 363 days ahead of schedule in planning for Ottawa's next fireworks night.
Too early? Hardly, because when it comes to raising money for such popular events, it's never too early to start.
It's happening in La Salle County's two biggest cities. Both Streator and Ottawa are planning additional events in order to bring in more cash to ensure that next July people from far and wide will be able to gather and watch fireworks, the brightest of all Fourth of July activities.
The past two years, the Streator Fourth of July Committee has conducted a springtime chicken and spaghetti dinner at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall to raise money for the panel's general fund. Jody Bodznick, committee chairwoman, told The Times a pork chop dinner is set for the VFW this fall.
She added the committee probably will start selling 2012 Auto Lotto tickets earlier than in previous years. It's an effort to boost sales for Auto Lotto, a major Fourth of July fundraiser.
Neither the dinners nor Auto Lotto are fireworks-specific, but the pyrotechnics comprise a major part of the Fourth of July general fund, Bodznick said, so any money raised ultimately will help fireworks.
Such efforts aren't new in Streator. A chicken and spaghetti dinner in April and a wine-tasting event in October annually help raise money for Light Up Streator, the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday lights displays in Streator parks.
Ottawa First has been raising money the past two years for Fourth of July fireworks. The group met its $20,000 goal for 2011 and has set a new activity for 2012 funding. At its July 7 meeting, Ottawa First announced it is planning an Oktoberfest event for Friday, Oct. 14, through Friday, Oct. 16. Ottawa First is hoping it will raise a large portion of the money needed for next year.
Oktoberfest comes on the heels of the inaugural Ottawa's Got Talent, the July 3 competition that drew a good crowd at Washington Square and raised approximately $1,750 after expenses.
Why Oktoberfest?
"We'd like to each year raise the bar a little bit by adding a little something extra." said Larry Johnson, Ottawa First president, who hopes the new event will raise a large portion of the money needed for 2012 fireworks. "That way we don't have that big push the last two months (before July 4)."
One might believe it's silly to think about fireworks while downing a beer and chewing on a pork chop in October. But why not? Money is not easy to raise in 2011, so getting an early start is a sensible way to get fundraising off to a good start, and raise awareness of these organizations and their missions to make Independence Day enjoyable for Ottawa and Streator residents.
We commend Ottawa First and the Streator Fourth of July Committee for finding new ways to raise funds for fireworks. Without their efforts, the skies could be much darker during America's annual birthday party.
DONATIONS TO the Streator Fourth of July Committee can be made to Bodznick at John and Joe's Florists, 1105 W. Main St. Ottawa First will meet 7 p.m. Thursday, July 28, at JJ's Pub and Grill, 104 W. Madison St.
mywebtimes.com/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=436430
cannot find it on here,but there was someone on here over the 4th holidays that said streator was not having fireworks next year,and said was told by a reliable source.
well your source was not reliable ,it says it in black and white streator is raising money for next year.
Share 07/11/2011, 8:25 pm
Comment on this story | Print this story | Email this story
THE ISSUE: Ottawa, Streator already planning for next year's showsOUR VIEW: Various types of fundraising helps these activities continue
A mere three days after fireworks lit up Ottawa's skies for the city's Independence Day celebration, organizers met to discuss ways to raise money for the 2012 event.
Ottawa First, the group that funds most of the pyrotechnics display, was thinking 363 days ahead of schedule in planning for Ottawa's next fireworks night.
Too early? Hardly, because when it comes to raising money for such popular events, it's never too early to start.
It's happening in La Salle County's two biggest cities. Both Streator and Ottawa are planning additional events in order to bring in more cash to ensure that next July people from far and wide will be able to gather and watch fireworks, the brightest of all Fourth of July activities.
The past two years, the Streator Fourth of July Committee has conducted a springtime chicken and spaghetti dinner at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall to raise money for the panel's general fund. Jody Bodznick, committee chairwoman, told The Times a pork chop dinner is set for the VFW this fall.
She added the committee probably will start selling 2012 Auto Lotto tickets earlier than in previous years. It's an effort to boost sales for Auto Lotto, a major Fourth of July fundraiser.
Neither the dinners nor Auto Lotto are fireworks-specific, but the pyrotechnics comprise a major part of the Fourth of July general fund, Bodznick said, so any money raised ultimately will help fireworks.
Such efforts aren't new in Streator. A chicken and spaghetti dinner in April and a wine-tasting event in October annually help raise money for Light Up Streator, the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday lights displays in Streator parks.
Ottawa First has been raising money the past two years for Fourth of July fireworks. The group met its $20,000 goal for 2011 and has set a new activity for 2012 funding. At its July 7 meeting, Ottawa First announced it is planning an Oktoberfest event for Friday, Oct. 14, through Friday, Oct. 16. Ottawa First is hoping it will raise a large portion of the money needed for next year.
Oktoberfest comes on the heels of the inaugural Ottawa's Got Talent, the July 3 competition that drew a good crowd at Washington Square and raised approximately $1,750 after expenses.
Why Oktoberfest?
"We'd like to each year raise the bar a little bit by adding a little something extra." said Larry Johnson, Ottawa First president, who hopes the new event will raise a large portion of the money needed for 2012 fireworks. "That way we don't have that big push the last two months (before July 4)."
One might believe it's silly to think about fireworks while downing a beer and chewing on a pork chop in October. But why not? Money is not easy to raise in 2011, so getting an early start is a sensible way to get fundraising off to a good start, and raise awareness of these organizations and their missions to make Independence Day enjoyable for Ottawa and Streator residents.
We commend Ottawa First and the Streator Fourth of July Committee for finding new ways to raise funds for fireworks. Without their efforts, the skies could be much darker during America's annual birthday party.
DONATIONS TO the Streator Fourth of July Committee can be made to Bodznick at John and Joe's Florists, 1105 W. Main St. Ottawa First will meet 7 p.m. Thursday, July 28, at JJ's Pub and Grill, 104 W. Madison St.
mywebtimes.com/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=436430
cannot find it on here,but there was someone on here over the 4th holidays that said streator was not having fireworks next year,and said was told by a reliable source.
well your source was not reliable ,it says it in black and white streator is raising money for next year.
