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06/01/2015 11:28 AMHave you given a dollar yet? When the sky lights up with fireworks over Branford Point on Saturday, June 27, imagine each dazzling explosion equaling one dollar, and you'll see why all-volunteer Branford Fireworks Committee is hoping to have every resident donate at least $1 to help put on this year's $30,000 show.
"Branford has 28,000 residents," said committee member Alex Palluzzi. "If every resident in Branford decided to do their diligence and give at least $1, that would go a long way toward reaching our goal."
Committee members include Palluzzi, Dennis Flanigan, Nichole Cipriano, Dale Izzo, Ray Ingraham, Ed Masotta, and Chairman Jeff Vailette.
Although the Town of Branford recently approved $20,000 to help fund the event, there's more than just another $10,000 needed to get the display off the ground, explained Vailette. The committee hopes to begin building reserves so that each year's display doesn't always hinge on raising the minimum needed to put on the show.
"The Branford fireworks display is the largest display on the shoreline, and we want to continue the celebration of the Fourth of July in Branford," said Vailette.
The committee begins meeting in February of each year to brainstorm new ways of driving in those donated dollars. In addition to mailing an appeal and accepting donations through the mail, by phone, or online; this year, a fireworks donation notice will go out in all new property tax bills (mailed in early June). In addition, new committee member Cipriano initiated a new bucket collection program that's picking up change and dollars from customers visiting about 15 local businesses.
"We'll also be at the Branford Festival on Friday and Saturday collecting donations for the fireworks," said long-time committee member Dennis Flanigan, who was involved with the display when it was a program of the Branford American Legion.
The Legion turned the annual event over to the town, which established the Branford Fireworks Committee in 1998.
"The Legion didn't have the manpower, so they appealed to the first selectman at that time," said Flanigan.
Then-first selectman Anthony "Unk" DaRos helped to shepherd the program into the town's purview, including an annual budget of $7,500, which grew to $15,000 and was just increased to $20,000 this year, under First Selectman James B. Cosgrove. In addition, the town supports costs for police, fire and public works assistance needed for the event.
Funds are needed not only to put on the show, but to pay for aspects including shuttle bus transportation, music, staging, and other set-up at Branford Point, where thousands of spectators gather for the show. In past years, collections taken up on the night of the fireworks at Branford Point have yielded as much as $7,000 per show, but that number has "dwindled" in the last few years, said Flanigan.
"Last year, we collected about $3,000 from the crowd," said Flanigan.
The committee is banking on big boost in donations with the new "donate your dollar" idea. Of course, donations of other amounts (some individuals give between $25 to $100 annually, for example) are welcome.
"This is a half-hour show that is really phenomenal," said Flanigan of the display, which has been brought to Branford by Bay Fireworks of New York for the past six years. "The senior pyrotechnic operator is a guy who lived in Branford in the past, and he puts the heart and soul in the show."
Branford Fireworks 2015 will be held Saturday, June 27 (rain date is Sunday, June 28) at Branford Point. To make a secure donation online, visit www.branfordrecreation.org. To donate by phone, call Branford Recreation at 203-488-8304. To mail donations, send checks payable to Branford Fireworks Committee, P.O. Box 987, Branford CT 06405.