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Fireworks fundraising shifts into high gear

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With just two and a half weeks until Independence Day, Ramona Rotarians have shifted fundraising efforts into high gear. Their eye is on the $30,000 goal needed to stage the 24th Annual July 4th Family Picnic & Fireworks.

“Rotary will light up the sky on the Fourth of July,” said Kim Lasley, event chair and Ramona Rotary president.

The community’s Independence Day celebration will be on the fields behind Olive Peirce Middle School, 1521 Hanson Lane, from 5 to 9:30 p.m. The fireworks will start at 9.

Individuals, families, businesses and organizations are pitching in, and so far about $10,000 has been raised. With sponsorship letters mailed last week, Lasley and club treasurer Sharon Greene are confident the community will help Rotary meet its 2016 goal.

Sponsorships come in several levels:

Presenting Sponsor, $1,000 or more

Co-sponsor, $500 to $999

Co-Host, $200 to $499

Contributor, $100 to $199

Supporter, $50 to $99

Sponsors need to contact Lasley by June 26 to be included in the July 4th Family Picnic & Fireworks program.

Rotarians will be in front of Albertsons, Stater Bros. and Kmart accepting donations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through July 2. Donations are also being accepted in “Sparks” canisters in businesses throughout town. As of early this week, $1,600 has come from Saturday donations in front of the three stores, and $1,200 from Sparks canisters.

Donations of any amount are welcome and will be accepted until the day of the event, said Lasley. Checks may be mailed payable to Ramona Rotary Foundation, noting the donation is for the fireworks, to Ramona Rotary Club, P.O. Box 276, Ramona, CA 92065.

“For 24 years the community of Ramona and the families have come out to watch the fireworks, and now we’re seeing the next generations coming out to enjoy the fireworks,” said Lasley.

Games, food, activities and entertainment are planned, with the grand finale being the skyshow backed by patriotic music broadcast over KYXY-FM radio.

Those attending may bring blankets, chairs, umbrellas, non-alcoholic drinks and picnics. Radios are encouraged for use when the fireworks begin.

Ramona Boy Scout Troop 768 will provide a variety of games geared to everyone from toddlers to adults starting at 5 p.m. and continuing until just before the fireworks start. The troop also will sell hot dogs, drinks and chips.

Ramona Rotary Club with assistance from the Ramona Boys & Girls Club and Ramona High School cheerleaders will offer several children’s games for free from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Street tacos, nachos, sodas and water will be sold at the Los Amigos booth, and the Enchantments booth will have funnel cakes, kettle corn, cotton candy, lemonade and water.

Shaved ice, Italian ice, ice cream, Italian sodas and coffee drinks will be at the Mr. Scoops booth.

Multi-colored glow-in-the-dark wands will be sold at the Ramona Rotary Club booth.

Announcements and music will come from DJ Pat Connolly with Sound Prodigy from 5 to 9 p.m.

VIP and handicapped parking will be available for those with passes or placards. General parking is in the front lots of the schools.

No pets, smoking or alcohol is allowed on the school grounds.

A silent auction with a variety of themed baskets will be held. A highlight of the silent auction is the bench made, decorated and donated by the Montecito High School construction class. The bench is hand-painted and antiqued and has a patriotic theme.

Ramona’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will have an information booth and will conduct a demonstration exercise — a simulation triage and transport of a disaster victim to a treatment area.

Among volunteers helping before, during and after the event will be Ramona High Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets, Ramona High Interact members, Montecito High construction students and Ramona High cheerleaders.

“We want to thank Ramona Unified School District for providing the setting the the July 4th celebration,” said Lasley.

For more information about the Independence Day celebration, contact Lasley at 760-788-1438 or 619-977-7145.

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