KYW Newsradio Listeners Save Glenside Fireworks
by KYW's Jim Melwert
One of the biggest Fourth of July fireworks displays in the Philadelphia suburbs was in danger of being cancelled because of a lack of funding, but the big show in Glenside will go off as planned, thanks to some generous last minute donations for KYW Newsradio listeners.
The Glenside Independence Day parade is 107 years old. In 2000, a fireworks display was added, and in all, the day carries a $50,000 price tag -- money raised by the all-volunteer group, The Greater Glenside Patriotic Association. President Al Herrmann:
"The economy and the state budget problems, all our money's been coming in slower this year."
So much slower, organizers say the 30-minute fireworks display was in danger of being scrapped.
But parade and fireworks coordinator Bill Hall says several generous donations came in from KYW Newsradio listeners after a story aired about the potential shortfall:
"Bam, the calls started coming in right away, and it unleashed like the flood gates."
While the parade and fireworks are on for this year, organizers say, with the significant drop in donations, the celebration likely can't go on without a long-term corporate sponsor.
