Events set to ignite support toward $24,000 goal
This year marks the Mission Bay Yacht Club’s 28th annual Fourth of July fireworks event, a tradition that the beach and bay community, and children of all ages, looks forward to each year. But fundraising is so far less than halfway to the targeted goal of $24,000 to put on the pyrotechnics display. As of June 1, the yacht club was busily trying to raise an additional $15,000 toward that mark. There was good news last week, however. Show organizers at Mission Bay, La Jolla and elsewhere in the city breathed a sigh of relief June 3 when a San Diego County Superior Court judge suspended her ruling requiring Fourth of July fireworks in La Jolla and elsewhere to undergo environmental review. Now the challenge for the Mission Bay Yacht Club will be to continue its appeals for financial support for the show that is roughly only a month away, said Jennifer Henehan, the yacht club’s volunteer fundraising chairwoman While the yacht club is only open to members, Henehan said the display, which is created by one of the top pyrotechnic companies in the nation, is visible throughout the north side of the bay, and can also be seen from the Pacific Beach hills, Mt. Soledad and Kate Sessions Park. The show begins at 9 p.m. and generally lasts a half-hour. “We have donations coming in and commitments for more,” said Henehan. “We have one member who has offered boat rides on the Fourth of July to donors over $5,000, depending on demand.” There is no size limit on donations, which may be mailed or hand-delivered. Without the funds, the show will have to be canceled, said organizers. There are some fundraising events in the works. Ray Corallino, head coach and general manager of Millers Field in Pacific Beach, has three events planned. On June 11 and June 25 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., Millers Field will be hosting Bikini Car Washes with the Millers Girls. The cost will be $20 per car, and Millers Field will be donating a portion of the proceeds to the Mission Bay Yacht Club’s fireworks fund. The third event, a gangster/flapper-style casino night will be held on June 29, and is expected to be a major fundraising affair. The cost is $80 per person, and will include either a hosted bar for the first hour or a free drink ticket, appetizers and dinner buffet, gaming tables, as well as prizes from local merchants and vendors. “This is for a good cause and is beneficial to everyone in the area,” said Corallino. “It’s important to keep things going.” Corallino’s goal is to raise $10,000 from the trio of events, and he said he hopes the efforts will inspire and encourage local hotels to donate as well. For those concerned with the recent decision by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board to require use permits for fireworks shows at a cost of more than $1,450, Henehan said the “Mission Bay Yacht Club is working with all permitting agencies to run a safe and fun Fourth of July show.  We abide by all water and environmental restrictions.  The yacht club is proud of its stewardship of Mission Bay and seeks to promote safe and secure holiday events for many years to come.” Residents may mail donations to the Mission Bay Yacht Club, 1215 El Carmel Place, San Diego, 92109-7499. For more information, call (858) 488-0501, or visit www.mbyc.org.