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I Raised $10,100 in Six Weeks for My Town’s July 4th Fireworks
Small town fundraising isn’t for sissies.
There is a small borough in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA with a population of 1,387 in 1990. It’s one of those small towns where everyone knows or is related to everyone…sometimes both.
Borough residents and neighboring towns citizens looked forward to the Fourth of July fireworks display by Zambelli Internationale. The fireworks marked the end of the Fourth of July Parade, family parties and celebrations. I’ve met people who traveled over 50 miles to sit on the hill of the local high school’s football field to watch the fireworks and finale. It was a finale that never disappointed.
I moved there in 1994 after my divorce. The mayor was the owner and cook at his Italian restaurant and bar. I stopped by one day after the lunch crowd was gone at the beginning of May, and introduced myself. I told him that I was really looking forward to the 4th of July celebration and fireworks. I mentioned how it was a tradition for my family when I was married. We drove 90 miles round trip to sit on the football field hill.
The mayor immigrated from Italy. His English was good but sometimes difficult to understand because of his Italian accent. I understood him very well when he put a towel on the bar, shook…
