Brandon Twp.- The Greater Ortonville Area Chamber of Commerce is planning several fundraisers in an effort to continue the tradition of a fireworks show celebrating Independence Day.
‘If our fundraising doesn’t provide the funds we are looking for, this could be the last fireworks show that Ortonville will see,? said COC Trustee and Fire Chief Dave Kwapis.
The Chamber of Commerce has a goal of raising $7,000 for the fireworks show this year, which is planned for July 3, with a rain date of July 4. Wolverine Fireworks Company will again provide the show, which will be 30-minutes long if the fundraising goal is met, but 15 minutes if the Chamber only raises $4,000.
‘We need a lot of donations and we have come up with some creative ideas to help raise some funds,? said Kwapis.
The first fundraiser will be a plant sale May 16 and May 28 (Memorial Day) at Wojo’s Greenhouse, 2570 Oakwood Road. Customers who buy plants from the greenhouse that day will have 10 percent of the proceeds from their total purchase donated to the fireworks fund when they mention at checkout they would like to support the Ortonville Fireworks. Additionally, on May 28 at Wojo’s, there will be hot dogs available for a donation to the fund.
The hot dogs were donated by Frosty Boy, 955 S. Ortonville Road, which will also host an ice cream cone sale on Memorial Day, May 28. Customers purchasing a cone that day will see 100 percent of the proceeds donated to the fireworks fund, Kwapis said.
Area residents can expect to see postcards reminding them of the Wojo’s plant sale in their grocery bags at Bueche’s Food World, 400 N. Ortonville Road. The postcards will also be sent home with elementary students.
Throughout the month of June, volunteers will be at Bueche’s accepting donations in firefighter boots. Collection jars will also be found at various businesses around town.
The Chamber is also offering sponsorships for donations in the amount of $550, $750, and $1,000. Businesses purchasing a sponsorship will have their business logo placed on a banner over M-15, with size of the logo dictated by the various prices.
‘It’s a great show, and the largest community event in Ortonville,? said Kwapis of the fireworks. ‘All the school parking lots are typically packed and with July 4 in the middle of week and a lot of people home, we anticipate this year to be really packed.?
Anyone wanting to mail a donation should make a check payable to the Greater Ortonville Area Chamber of Commerce (write Fireworks 2012 Fund in the memo section) and send to P.O. Box 152, Ortonville, MI 48462. For more information, call Dave Kwapis at 248-627-4000.