Lions Club Issues A Challenge

To Keep The Parade Marching

By Kaaren Valenta

Concerned that Newtown’s Labor Day Parade might have to be cancelled this year for lack of financial support, the Newtown Lions Club this week issued a challenge to the community.

Beginning August 18, the Lions Club will contribute $1 for each $2 given by a group or individual to fund the parade, up to a maximum contribution by the Lions of $4,000.

“We read in the newspaper about the lack of donations and decided that we needed to do something,” said Lions President Paul Arneth. “We decided to challenge other groups in Newtown to give to the parade. We couldn’t imagine not having the parade. It is such a tradition for the community.”

To kickoff the donations, the Lions presented a check for $500 to the parade committee.

Earlier this week, the Newtown Rotary Club donated $1,647 — $1,000 from the organization and $647 from individual Rotarians. The number of other contributions to the Labor Day Parade account at Fleet Bank also has increased in the past two weeks.

“Since [the] article in The Bee on August 6, the flow of donations has increased considerably — $4,222 since the report, more than doubling the amount received in the previous seven months,” said Brian Amey, parade committee treasurer.

So far these donations have pushed the total raised to $7,547, about half the $18,000 needed to stage the parade. The committee has about $14,000 in an emergency reserve fund, but figures it will need to use that, and much more, next year when the town holds its tercentennial celebration, so it does not want to have to spend it now.

“We would like to raise $38,000 to $40,000 this year because we want to be ahead of the game for next year,” Mr Amey said. “We think there will be a lot of groups raising money next year and a lot of the parade donations may be diverted there.”

In recent years, such as 2001 when the nation’s largest flags were displayed, the parade has cost as much as $24,000 to stage. Last year’s parade cost slightly more than $18,017, including $12,225 for bands and exhibitors, $3,049 for printing and postage, $550 for the public address system, $1,169 for promotional materials, $408 for trophies, and $617 miscellaneous costs.

Bands traditionally charge a fee to perform in order to partially offset the costs of transportation, uniforms, instrument repair and replacement, and other expenses, the parade organizers explained. For example, the popular Firefighters Pipes and Drum Corps supports a widows and orphan fund.

“We are still someway short of the goal, but with the latest offer from the Lions Club and some further promises in the pipeline, we are hopeful of getting close to the goal,” Mr Amey said. “Certainly the ‘show will go on’ but we do not want to draw on our precious reserves that will be needed to put on the extra special parade for next year’s Tercentennial celebrations.”

Rotarian Ed Osterman agreed.

“Newtown Rotary was one of the original promoters of the Labor Day Parade and no one wanted to see the largest parade in Fairfield cancelled,” he said, explaining why the organization quickly responded to the plea for funds.

“Hopefully, this action will not only help the parade finances but will spur other organizations and companies in Newtown to immediately support this wonderful event,” he said.

Mr Osterman also said that donations from residents, no matter how small, are vital to assure that the parade will be held.

“Ten, fifteen, and twenty dollars or more from residents is needed right now,” Mr Osterman said. “The important thing is to act now.”

Donations, which are tax-deductible, can be made to the Newtown Labor Day Parade and sent or delivered to Brian Amey at Fleet Bank, 5 Queen Street, Newtown 06470.