Medford Celebrates Foundation, Inc. and Medford Township have jointly announced plans to stage, on Thursday, July 2, the Township’s traditional Independence Day celebration and fireworks display. For the fourth straight year, Medford Celebrates, a 501©(3) nonprofit corporation founded in 2011 to raise funds and public support for major Medford Township public events requiring Township services, has advised the Township that it has again solicited sufficient funds to enable the Township to stage the event at NO cost to the municipality.
A large share of the costs of staging the event will be covered by a substantial donation from ShopRite of Medford, who will gain serve as the Presenting Sponsor. “We are fortunate to have received donations of varying sizes by a number of local businesses and individuals, but ShopRite has really stepped up to help us out,” said Celebrates President, Bob Egan. “We have also obtained substantial donations from YMCA Camp Ockanickon of Medford, as the Kid’s Entertainment Sponsor, and Columbia Bank as the Main Stage Sponsor. In addition, legal services have been donated by Archer & Greiner, P.C. and accounting services by the firm of Padden Cooper LLC. Other sponsors are Polymer Solutions, Radwell International, Inc., PJ Whelihan’s, Medford Ford, Bob Meyer Communities, and Century 21 Meyer Realty.
The 2015 Independence Day Celebration will be held in Freedom Park on Thursday, July 2, weather permitting. The park will open at 6 p.m. and the fireworks show will begin at dusk, approximately 9:15 pm. Friday, July 3 is the rain date.
Columbia Bank has signed on for this year, with a welcome donation that in and of itself will make it possible for Celebrates to fund the rental of a stage and sound system and bring back local teen rock band, No Commitment, which has played to widespread popular acclaim at the last two year’s Fireworks festivities. The M-Town Jazz Ensemble and the Medford School of Music will also perform.
YMCA Camp Ockanickon of Medford will also sponsor and run a number of activities for children aged 2–12.
In addition food, beverages and novelties will be sold by local vendors and local companies will man tents and tables to meet the public and distribute literature about their businesses in the Business Expo area.
Egan praised the contributions of all the sponsors, noting that fund raising is becoming more and more difficult. “This year, we have again obtained just enough pledges to fund the Fireworks and pay our other operating expenses, like advertising, website, insurance and government fees. Without the major contributions from ShopRite, Camp Ockanickon and Columbia Bank, we would not be able to stage the event this year, and we are in jeopardy of losing the ability to do so in the future, unless we find new sources of revenue.”
As a result, Medford Celebrates is asking people who come to the Fireworks to make a donation. Assistant to the Township Manager, Beth Portocalis, explained, “Admission is technically free, but if every family would contribute even a dollar for each family member who comes to watch, we can help assure that we can keep the fireworks going.” Egan said that, “With approximately 25,000 to 35,000 people attending each year, a dollar a head would not cover all the costs but would give us a huge head start on next year. We hope that people understand that the Township cannot afford to stage these events and that they will not be possible without public support.” Donations can be made in person on the day of the event or on Celebrates’ website at www.medfordcelebrates.org.
The Celebrates trustees ask anyone interested in serving as a Trustee or assisting with events and activities to e-mail info@medfordcelebrates.org or call Mr. Egan at (609) 519–0841.
