The Leland Chamber of Commerce will go ahead with its annual fireworks display.
Chamber President Mark Morton said Tuesday that an outpouring of donations has put fundraising goals within reach.
“We are more than halfway there,” Morton said. “Given the outpouring of donations, both large and small, from a wide range of sources, the Chamber feels we can go forward with fireworks this year.” In February, Morton announced cancellation of his organizations biggest fundraiser, the Leland Food and Wine Festival. Lacking revenue from the event, the chamber’s annual fireworks display was in jeopardy.
Enter township residents Mary Kuntz and Cheryl VanZee, who took up the cause, leading fundraising efforts for the fireworks which cost between $12,000 and $15,000.
“With the hard work, done mostly by (Kuntz and VanZee) , we feel confident we will be able to raise the other half of the cost easily by July,” Morton said.
The support has amazed Morton. More than 85 individuals and organizations have donated. The outpouring of support has been amazing, they have had over 85 individuals and organizations donate.
“In one sense the $10 donations have been as important as the $1,000 donations, because it shows how strongly the community is behind this event, and the summer residents aren’t even here yet,” Morton said.
He met last week with a new fireworks contractor, the same company that Northport uses for their fireworks, at Hancock Field for an inspect of the site, which met with their approval. A contract for the display is expected to arrive yet this week. The display traditionally has been on July 3.
Contributions can be made at www.lelandmi.org. Donations or checks can be made out to Leland Chamber of Commerce and sent to P.O. Box 741, Leland, MI 49654. The organization is also seeking donations through gofundme. com.
