Chamber reaches $15,000 goal for 4th Fireworks

It took just 10 days for the “Save the Independence Day Blast” campaign to reach its $15,000 goal.

The Pittsburg-Camp County Chamber of Commerce launched the campaign May 22 and hit its first benchmark of raising half the funds needed in just three days as the fundraising committee headed by Chamber Board Member Holly Mc-Graw worked hard to drum up support from individuals and businesses.

Chamber Executive Director Christine Jackson announced June 1 that the final funds had been secured.

“Pilgrim’s called late this afternoon and asked how much we still needed - $5,000 – and they have approved a donation for the full amount,” Jackson told the Gazette. “Pittsburg will be lit up on July 4th!”

Jackson said there are others in the community that have pledged to give that are not included in the official amount, and the Chamber is still requesting donations that would go toward seed money and to produce an even bigger show for 2019.

“We’ve been very fortunate. The donations are coming in daily, and everything is coming together,” Chamber Board President James Wallace said at the Chamber planning meeting May 29. “As we talk to the business community and individuals, they have told us they are so appreciative that the Chamber has picked this up and is willing to run with it.”

At the meeting, the committee decided to start the event at 6:30 p.m. and include booths from local churches, organizations and businesses offering things like face painting, games for kids, drinks, snacks, etc. and they are putting an appeal out this week for those groups to volunteer.

The group also agreed to add a parade at 6:30 p.m. through Broach Park with prizes awarded.

“We’re inviting kids of all ages to attend and decorate their bicycle, tricycle or wagon in their most festive red, white and blue patriotic theme,” Executive Director Christine Jackson said.

Tickets for Parachute Bingo are on sale now for $5 each of five for $20, and sales will continue until 15 minutes before the skydivers make the jump over the giant bingo board marked with 2,196 squares. The winning square earns the ticket holder a $1,000 prize.

A tentative member of the skydiving team is Pittsburg Mayor Shawn Kennington, who agreed to make the jump if the Chamber sells all of the tickets, even though he has a severe fear of flying.

“He is friends with the jump teams, and they have been trying to convince him to jump for the past several years, but he has always declined,” Jackson said. “He does not like to fly and has only flown three times commercially in his life.”

Jackson said the Chamber is thrilled that the mayor is making this commitment.

“What an awesome mayor to be willing to do something that he’s not comfortable doing to support the community and save his town’s fireworks,” she said.

The tickets are available at Big Earl’s, City Hall, Guaranty Bond Bank, Ma’s Café at the Leesburg Store, Mayben’s, Pilgrim Bank’s downtown and Brookshire’s branches, Pittsburg Insurance, Texas Country Farm Supply, and the Wallace Law Firm. You do not need to be present to win.

“We are trying to make this a family-friendly, fun evening. I love the 4th of July, and I want everyone else to experience it just like I do,” Jackson said.