While fireworks will light up the Chatham sky Saturday, the Canada Day Committee still needs almost two dozen volunteers for the rest of the event this weekend.
Waste Connections of Canada officially presented a $15,000 check to the Chatham Canada Day Committee. If not for the donation, fireworks for Canada 151 celebrations wouldn't happen this weekend.
According to the secretary of the organization, Robert Francis, with only eight confirmed volunteers they still have obstacles to overcome.
"Our police sergeant Jim Lynds, who is on our committee, says we'll need about 30 to 35 people to make it a safe zone for the kids," Francis said. "There's going to be a lot of families out there on parade route. It is really the safety of Chatham patrons that we look out for."
Francis said he was confident enough volunteers will show up to make the event go off without a hitch.
The donation for fireworks was officially announced last month, but the committee was still $10,000 short of their total goal. According to Francis, they weren't able to hit the total and some entertainment from past years was left out.
"We've done a lot of cutting this year," Francis said. "I personally don't like sitting across the table cutting things we've done in previous years. There are a lot of things in the Chatham-Kent community we are going up against. A lot of people are not putting the finances where they should be in my eyes. In the long run, at least we put the attempt out there."
Francis said donors who contributed to Canada's 150 last year didn't seem to feel the same was needed this year because it isn't as big a deal.
"It is a celebration though and it is in Chatham-Kent," Francis said. "We need to have this."
Fireworks will be held Saturday night at St. Clair College. A parade will be held Sunday morning, followed by entertainment in Tecumseh Park.
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the committee via its Facebook page.
