Community Corner

Stop by 24 Seconds to Support Hometown Holiday Lights Parade

A portion of proceeds raised at the bar and grill from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday will be used to keep the annual Berkley tradition going strong.

Stop by from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and a portion of your bill will be donated to the Hometown Holiday Lights Parade Committee to help keep the annual event going.

Because parade expenses must be paid in advance and the 2011 event already has been funded, the committee is working to raise money for the next year, committee member Deb Canto wrote in an e-mail to Berkley Patch.

"(Owner) Bob (Bronstein) is generously donating 20 percent of the gross receipts from both upstairs and down to the parade," Canto wrote.

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"The parade costs between $7,000 – 8,000 dollars to put on each year," she wrote. "We have costs ranging from insurance to Porta-Potties, fees and transportation for the marching bands, honorariums for participating school groups, carriages for honored guests and the after parade carriage rides, the petting zoo, etc., etc. The actual, final number for 2010 was $ 7,619.48! This parade is funded completely by business sponsors and resident donations."

The parade has seen its funding decline by approximately 75 percent during the past couple years due to the loss of two major donors, even as costs continue to increase, Canto wrote.

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"We don't tend to think about what an increase of $1 in a gallon of gas does to the profit margin of a company hauling horses in a truck," she wrote.

If you can't make it to the fundraiser Wednesday, don't fret! You can still contribute to the parade.

"The Committee would welcome any new ideas, especially those connected to a pair of willing hands!" Canto wrote. "My personal 'dream volunteer team' this year is 15 people in matching lighted hats to march alongside all of the parade participants and keep them in perfect cadence. No more 100-foot blank spots!"

Volunteer sign-up sheets will be available during the fundraiser at 24 Seconds. For more information, e-mail Berkleyparade@gmail.com.

will be held Dec. 3.


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