5/5/2010 11:23:20 AM -
Local business leaders The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, Quirk Chevrolet, Wright Express, and Maine Red Claws donate funds for city’s 4th of July celebration
Community Answers Call for Help for Fireworks with a Bang
Local business leaders The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, Quirk Chevrolet, Wright Express, and Maine Red Claws donate funds for city’s 4th of July celebration
April 12, 2010 - City of Portland Mayor Nicholas Mavodones received a check for $45,000 from local businesses to fund the city’s 2010 4th of July fireworks celebration. Business leaders, The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, Quirk Chevrolet, Wright Express, and the Maine Red Claws answered the appeal from the city to help raise funds to support this important community event. Faced with continued revenue losses caused by the national recession, a week earlier, City Manager Joseph Gray presented his budget for the next fiscal year to the City Council, which included the cancellation of this year’s fireworks event. Gray called upon the community to help raise the funds needed for the fireworks. Members of the community are invited to make a contribution large or small to help support and sustain the city’s Stars and Stripes Spectacular. Visit our Gift Catalog.
“It is a true testament to the community that local businesses rose so quickly to answer the call for help,” stated Mavodones. “Challenging times like these can bring out the best in people and these businesses deserve a heartfelt thank you from us all.”
“The July 4th fireworks are special – they are a tradition that people look forward to all year long,” said Maine Red Claws President and General Manager Jon Jennings. “This partnership is evidence of what can happen when people come together for the betterment of the community. The Red Claws are honored to join with our distinguished partners to make sure this valued tradition continues. Not only are we determined to uphold a long held tradition, but we plan to work together to come up with ideas that will enhance this year’s experience for all who attend.”
Portland’s 4th of July fireworks celebration is a valued tradition dating back more than a century. The celebration takes place along the Eastern Promenade with more than 50,000 people gathering in a variety of public spaces and in Casco Bay to watch the event. It is the largest city event held in Portland.
“The first one to suggest we get involved in saving the city's fireworks was Executive Editor Scott Wasser,” said Richard L. Connor, Editor and Publisher of The Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram. “Serendipity struck the same day when Jon Jennings phoned to ask for our help. He and the Red Claws deserve all the credit for putting this together. A newspaper stands for everything that is American, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, free enterprise and just plain freedom. Fourth of July and the accompanying fireworks are about as American as you can get. Saving this for the city and its people was just something we had to do.”
When explaining his motives for involving Quirk Chevrolet, Jack Quirk, President, cited not only the company’s pride in Maine and wish to see the community's tradition of celebration continue but also a desire to recognize and honor the thousands of local men and women in uniform. "When you have family, employees and friends fighting a war overseas, how can you not celebrate our independence and freedom in the manner in which it has been done for the last 234 years?" stated Quirk.
“The 4th of July, in particular, is one of the most important holidays we commemorate as Americans,” said Michael Dubyak, Chairman and CEO of Wright Express. “Celebrations like this enhance our sense of community, and highlight how important it is for us to celebrate our freedom as well as to honor the men and women who have served, and are serving to secure and sustain it.”