Bay Days fireworks committee wraps fundraising year with donation, prizes
Mayor Debbie Sutherland accepts a check for half the cost of the annual fireworks display from Eric Eakin, who chaired the group of citizens that raised money by selling raffle tickets.
There were fireworks at this year's Bay Days celebration thanks to corporate sponsor Sunnyside Auto Group, Assistant to the Mayor Sue Kohl who spearheaded the sale of Bay Village-branded items, the Freedom Boat Club and the many individuals who donated money or purchased raffle tickets to support the cause.
Eric Eakin, chairperson of the Bay Days Fireworks Fund, presented a check during the June 29 City Council meeting to Mayor Deborah Sutherland to help pay for the fireworks display.
"The Bay Days fireworks display is now mostly privately funded, so our committee works hard to make sure that we all can enjoy a grand fireworks display on our nation's birthday," Eakin said. "After all, what would Bay Days be without fireworks? That's right: a dud."
Eakin thanked committee members Tara Wendell, Jennie Mace, Dominic Giovannazzo, Mindy Stroh, George MacDonald, Tony Dostal, Camille and Patrick Sheehan, Eileen Vernon, Dave Tadych, Tom Stillwell, Tom Henderson, Dwight Clark and Lisa Wilson for their hard work in raising the necessary funds.
The committee sold raffle tickets as part of their fundraising effort. On Memorial Day, Tom Dunn was picked as the winner of a yearlong membership in the Freedom Boat Club. On July 4, John Stanton was the prize winner in the Cavs raffle that included a pair of great seats to 10 Cleveland Cavaliers games, plus a "swag bag" of Cavs merchandise. "John is a staunch supporter of the fireworks fund, and we are glad his name was drawn as winner," Eakin said. Clete Miller held the winning ticket drawn for the Bay Days VIP experience package, which offered free ride wristbands, food and a reserved viewing location for the fireworks.
"The work of this committee will never be done. We are already planning our fundraising efforts for next year," Eakin said.
The Fireworks Fund committee contributed $5,500 toward the cost of the display, and Sue Kohl's merchandise sales added another $2,985.