Sisters-in-law Etta-Mae Pratt (left) and Annette Star have volunteered to take over the task of trying to raise the tens of thousands of dollars needed for the annual Canada Day fireworks display in Osoyoos. The ladies started their efforts this week and will be asking local businesses for support over the next several weeks. Donation boxes have also been set up at both Osoyoos grocery stores. Photo by Keith Lacey.
It’s going to be a hectic six weeks, but sisters-in-law Annette Star and Etta-Mae Pratt say they’re up for the challenge as the new fundraising co-ordinators with the Osoyoos Fireworks Committee.
“We’re ready to go,” said Star, who along with Pratt, will be seeking donations from business owners and residents starting this week. “It’s going to be a very busy few weeks, but we’re excited.”
After 17 years as fundraising co-ordinator, local resident Frank Zandvliet stepped down this year and Star and Pratt quickly stepped in.
Zandvliet, who works in public works for the Town of Osoyoos, will remain in charge of purchasing the fireworks and working with a small group of volunteers to set up and fire off the fireworks display on Canada Day.
But Zandvliet says he needed a break from the dozens of hours he spent every year asking for financial support from the local business community and residents.
He had become friends with Star and when she and her sister-in-law offered to take over the fundraising duties, Zandvliet knew they would do a fantastic job as they both have great personalities and a passion for ensuring the Osoyoos Canada Day fireworks display remained something special.
The fact that the Town of Osoyoos has the second-largest Canada Day fireworks display in the entire country, behind only the one held in the nation’s capital, is a great source of pride for the residents of this community and that’s why they believe they will receive the same kind of positive response in their new roles, said Star.
“The real blitz begins today (Monday) and we’ve already received very good response from everyone we’ve talked to,” she said. “A lot of people are used to working with Frank and many of them don’t realize that he’s stepped down and we’re taking his place, but once they realize that, they have been very receptive.”
Star and Pratt say their goal is to simply ask all local businesses and as many residents as they possibly can to donate what they can to a great cause.
“We have a list of every business in town with a business licence and every business that has contributed in the past and our goal is to visit everyone and ask them to donate what they can,” said Star. “We also have an introductory letter and business cards made up so we can introduce ourselves to the community.
“We know that not everyone can contribute and we only ask that business owners and people give what they can because every penny counts.”
Donation bins have also been set up at the local Buy-Low and Family Food grocery stores in Osoyoos and will remain there throughout May and June.
To put on the second-largest fireworks display in the country costs a lot of money, said Star.
“I think people would be shocked if they knew how much it cost to put this all on,” she said. “That’s why it’s so important to get community support because we wouldn’t be able to hold this amazing fireworks display every single year without the support of the community.”
To help generate additional revenue, Star and Pratt will be participating in a fundraising event at Beyond Beauty in the Cottonwood Mall on May 22. The local business will be holding a Spark Your Beauty event between 6-8 p.m. All proceeds on May 22 will go to the local fireworks committee.
The Osoyoos Elks Lodge is also holding a yard sale and bottle drive on Saturday, June 15 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Local residents can drop off unwanted items or bottles in the parking lot at the Elks Lodge, with all proceeds once again being donated to the fireworks committee.
The immediate goal is to raise at least $25,000 in the next week or so as that’s the deposit necessary for Zandvliet to order the fireworks for this year’s display, said Star.
While Zandvliet did an amazing job as the fundraising co-ordinator, Star and Pratt said they are looking forward to this new challenge and hope to do as good a job as he did for so many years.
“Our goal is to bring in a few more dollars than Frank did last year,” said Pratt. “It’s not going to be easy because everyone in town knows Frank, but that’s our goal.”
Anyone wanting more information or to make a personal donation to the fireworks committee can contact Star or Pratt at 250-495-6227.
