The Union County Fireworks Action Committee is ready once again to make
sure area residents enjoy a quality fireworks display on the Fourth of
July. The annual celebration with food, fire truck rides and music
begins at 7 p.m. Saturday at Community Stadium. Fireworks follow at
dusk.
The fireworks committee relies solely on donations to make sure the
show happens every year. For many years running, the show has gone on
without interruption. But it wouldn’t and couldn’t happen without the
support of donors and people who buy raffle tickets.
Years like this one, with a lot of people in our region out of work, make raising funds even more challenging. But the fireworks committee makes sure the show goes on.
The raffle offers an opportunity to donate and have a chance to win a variety of prizes, including a 1999 Olds Alero donated by Goss Motors, a $1,000 gift certificate from Don’s Jewelry and 100 gallons of fuel from Waldrop Oil. Various nonprofit groups are selling the tickets to help raise funds for their organizations, a strategy the fireworks committee developed eight years ago to raise funds for the fireworks show while at the same time helping local organizations. The strategy has worked well.
Direct donations are also welcome. Donations of any amount can be sent to UCFAC, P.O. Box 135, La Grande 97850. And, of course, donations are always accepted the night of the show.
Please support the fireworks fund with whatever size of donation you can make.
Be careful with fireworks
Personal fireworks are a lot of fun and a big part of the celebration that surrounds the Fourth, our nation’s birthday. But using personal fireworks also demands responsibility.
Parents need to make sure they supervise their children when igniting fireworks. Keep a bucket of water adjacent to your display area.
And everyone who is headed to the mountains this weekend needs to remember that fireworks are strictly forbidden on state and federal-protected lands. No fireworks in the forest!
Every year fires are ignited by fireworks — some in forests, some in yards and some that burn down houses. Have fun and enjoy the Fourth, but be especially careful.
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Opinion 
