Editorial

You too can be star-spangled

Thursday, June 30, 2016

You saw them if you looked at the back page of the Wednesday Banner Graphic.

There they were in full color: 34 local businesses and organizations that gave to a cause thousands of us will enjoy on Monday evening.

Each giving between $250 and $1,000 to the 2016 Celebrate 4 committee, these "Star-Spangled Donors" gave $11,875, making it possible for anyone who chooses to enjoy the fireworks at Robe-Ann Park on July 4.

But a few generous businesses aren't the whole story -- or at least they shouldn't be.

What can we do?

It's pretty easy, actually.

Each year during the fireworks display, a blanket is passed around for donations, and it usually looks woefully empty considering the number of people in attendance.

Toss in five bucks this year. A little more if you have it. A little less if you don't.

Just give something.

Even if you enjoy the fireworks from the middle school parking lot or some other spot in town, you can give too.

Call Parks Department Director Rod Weinschenk at 653-3395. I'm sure he'll happily tell you how you can donate.

We've all heard that freedom isn't free. Neither is celebrating our freedom.