OFFICE OF THE MAYOR FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: June 15, 2011

Contact: Lisa Carver (860) 826-3303

For Release: Immediately Upon Receipt

AMERICAN SAVINGS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES CHALLENGE TO SAVE
NEW BRITAIN’S 4th OF JULY FIREWORKS

New Britain, Conn. – It’s not too late for New Britain to light up the night sky on the Fourth of July with the biggest and best fireworks display in Connecticut.

The American Savings Foundation has pledged a $25,000 challenge grant to help make sure the annual celebration goes on in 2011.
This pledge gets us half way home,” said Mayor Timothy T. Stewart. “If businesses and residents follow the community spirited lead of the American Savings Foundation and come forward to meet the challenge, the City will make this year’s Great American Boom as loud and bright as ever.”
Last week, the City announced that the fireworks would be cancelled because of budget constraints. The City had to make a difficult decision in a budget year of likely layoffs and other service cuts. The annual event held at Stanley Quarter Park typically attracts about 30,000 people. It is a great tradition for New Britain families to enjoy the fireworks together.

“Our board of directors believes in the City of New Britain,” said Harry Mazadoorian, chairman of the board of American Savings Foundation. “Times are tough, but the annual fireworks display is a celebration of the City’s traditions, as well as its promise for the future. We hope the entire community will consider joining this effort by making a donation to keep this tradition going strong.”

Donations toward the match can be made by Friday, June 24, to the American Savings Foundation New Britain 4th of July Fund, 185 Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051. For more information, call 860-827-2556.

American Savings Foundation’s roots in the City go back to 1862 when the Savings Bank of New Britain was founded. Now a permanent charitable endowment, the Foundation was established by American Savings Bank in 1995 to give back to the community. College scholarships are a central part of its mission. This year the foundation is providing $675,000 in college scholarships to 380 Connecticut students, including 68 New Britain residents.
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“The Fourth of July is a celebration of America, the land of opportunity,” said David Davison, president and CEO of the foundation. “Our scholarships help families afford the dream of a college education. We want all New Britain youth to know that if they work hard in school, they have a great chance to receive an American Savings Foundation scholarship.”

The foundation recently awarded 125 new scholarships for the upcoming school year. Applications for 2012 will be available in January at www.asfdn.org.

“That’s another great reason to celebrate,” said Davison.

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