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The Fourth of July is less than two weeks away. Making sure that folks have a chance to celebrate the nation’s birthday with a fireworks show doesn’t come inexpensively. Putting on a fireworks show costs money. And every year for nearly two decades the Union County Fireworks Action Committee has made sure that Union County has a fireworks show on the Fourth of July.
Ensuring that the show can go on requires the public’s help through donations.
Every year since The The Observer launched the action committee, the community has come through. With an annual budget of between $11,000 and $12,000, the donations have often been enough to provide seed money for the next year’s show. A few years ago, a raffle was added to the mix, and that covers about 25 percent of the cost.
Carryover from last year wasn’t as great, so this year the committee is doing a letter campaign in the hopes of building up the fund to ensure this year’s budget can be met and provide seed money for next year so that a contract can be signed in February with Western Fireworks, which puts on the display.
If you have a dollar you can throw in the pot, or $10 or $50, please do so.
Also, the action committee is in need of more volunteers to boost its ranks to ensure that the show will go on every year. Anyone interested in being part should contact La Grande Fire Chief Bruce Weimer, fireworks committee president, at the fire hall, 963-3163. Currently Weimer, Steve Combs, Judy Loudermilk and Karla Sorweide make up the committee, and Loudermilk is resigning to move out of the area.
La Grande and Union County need a fireworks show on the Fourth of July. The spectacle at Community Stadium is the perfect conclusion to a local Independence Day celebration that begins with a parade in Imbler and concludes with music, games, concessions and fireworks at Community Stadium.
To contribute, send your donation to UCFAC, P.O. Box 135, La Grande 97850. And if you have a hankering to serve, consider signing up to serve on the Fireworks Action Committee.
Either avenue will help ensure a quality Fourth of July for Union County.
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Opinion 
