Almost exactly one year ago I wrote how I lauded the decision to cancel Chapel Hill’s annual fireworks display.  While the economy is only inching its way back and can not yet be called healthy and while town leaders are certainly still making tough choices, this year I write that it was wonderful to have fireworks burst again over Kenan Stadium.

Why the change of heart?  Because this year, in an acknowledgement that we’re all in this life and this town and this country together, lots of different people found a way to share the burden.  Donations at the stadium contributed about $8,000 toward the approximate $42,000.  That 8-thousand came from suggested donations of $-$5 so that means an awful lot of people dug into their pocket.
More help came from some local businesses at the prodding of a really wonderful guy (full disclosure: I married him!):  Barry Leffler, CEO of WCHL and Chapelboro.com worked with the town to raise money from the following businesses: 

Money isn’t the only way people helped bring back a terrific celebration: Police and fire departments for both Chapel Hill and Carrboro report no incidents that evening suggesting that whether people gave money and/or good behavior, they contributed to a wonderful birthday party for the nation. 
Could this idea of working together to find solutions seep out of our terrific town and creep, if not to Washington, then maybe to Raleigh?  I don’t really think so but maybe next year I’ll once again be writing to tell you that things have changed since last year!
Did you enjoy the fireworks?  Are there other opportunities for joint solutions you’d like to suggest?  Write to me at Donnabeth@Chapelboro.com or leave a comment below.

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