City of New Britain-Office of Mayor Timothy Stewart

MEDIA RELEASE

June 22, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Lisa Carver (860) 826-3303

COMMUNITY EFFORTS A SUCCESS: NEW BRITAIN WILL HAVE FIREWORKS ON JULY 4TH!

MAYOR STEWART ANNOUNCES NEW BRITAIN AS WINNER IN LIBERTY MUTUAL BRING BACK THE 4TH CONTEST AND OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO THE AMERICAN SAVINGS FOUNDATION CHALLENGE GRANT.

New Britain, CT: Sometimes the underdog does pull off the big win. Liberty Mutual Insurance announced today that New Britain was one of 10 winners in its nationwide Bring Back the 4th contest (see attached copy of Liberty Mutual release) which will mean $10,000 in funding to help restore the City’s annual 4th of July celebration which had been cancelled due to a budget crisis.

“I was absolutely speechless when I received the news this morning,” said Mayor Timothy Stewart. “Although this was a long shot, I am not surprised as I know that when asked to respond to a need, the New Britain community always comes forward and pitches in to make positive things happen.”

The $10,000 from Liberty Mutual will be added to funds being collected by the American Savings Foundation which has pledged a $25,000 challenge grant to help make sure the annual celebration goes on in 2011.

David Davison, president and CEO of the American Savings Foundation reported on the progress of the challenge grant efforts to date. “This has been an amazing outpouring of community spirit and generosity,” said Davison. “From companies such as Acme Monaco and Farmington Savings Bank who each have donated $5000, to individuals walking into the Foundation office with small contributions, everyone is doing their part to keep this important tradition alive in New Britain.”
 

Mayor Stewart also received word this morning of a third $5000 donation. “The Board of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain voted yesterday to add their support to this effort with a $5000 contribution. The Community Foundation has always been there to help in times of need, and this time is no exception as they respond to help keep our community spirit up during difficult economic times by keeping our 4th of July celebration intact.”

Several weeks ago, the City announced that the fireworks would be cancelled because budget constraints including possible layoffs and service cuts. The annual event at Stanley Quarter Park typically attracts 30,000 people. City officials estimated that costs for the fireworks and necessary employees to staff the event would be around $50,000.

Last week, the American Savings Foundation responded to the announcement of no fireworks by offering $25,000 toward the event and challenged the community to match that amount. As of today (June 22, 2011) the total raised by the challenge is $15,940 ($5000 each from Acme-Monaco, Farmington Savings Bank and the Community Foundation and close to $from smaller donations. With the additional $10,000 raised by the community-wide response to the Liberty Mutual contest, the total from all sources is $50,940. This means the fireworks are definitely going to be held on July 4th.

“I want to thank Liberty Mutual, particularly local reps Carlo Carlozzi and Doug O’Leary, for the opportunity to bring back the fireworks,” continued Mayor Stewart. “And I am so grateful to the folks at the American Savings Foundation, particularly Dave Davision, Board chair Harry Mazadoorian and former New Britain Superintendent of Schools and Foundation board member Dr. Marie Gustin who not only came forward with generosity in dollars, but generosity in spirit as they led the way to this tremendous success for our community. I also want to thank all the New Britain residents who put in their own effort, whether you went online to participate in the Liberty Mutual contest, or whether you donated to the challenge grant, we could not have done this without you.”

Festivities will begin at 6:00 pm on July 4th with a band and other activities at Stanley Quarter Park Fireworks will begin after dark at approximately 9:15 pm.