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Spirit of the Fourth’s future in danger

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Rancho Bernardo’s Spirit of the Fourth festivities are in danger of cancellation unless community members step forward to help with organizing and fundraising.

The committee is holding a volunteer interest meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 in the Rancho Bernardo Library’s upstairs community room, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive. After that meeting, the committee will decide if the entire July 4 event will be canceled or if at least some aspects can continue, said Spirit of the Fourth President Dave Brooks.

“I think the community will come forward, we just need to ask,” he said.

For the festivities to continue — including the fireworks show and 47th annual parade — at least $60,000 must be raised by early summer. But the committee only has two months to decide if the fireworks show can happen since by April it needs to make an $11,000 down payment — half of the total cost — to the fireworks company.

“That is our most immediate need, to cover the payment,” Brooks said.

In previous years, the committee could tap into its reserves to cover the fireworks down payment, but with only $700 in the reserves, that is not a possibility this year, he said.

“It’s not that we only overspent last year,” the first-time committee president said. “In 2011, we had a surplus of $25,000, but over the last five years we blew through that and went into the negative. ... We’ve been digging into the reserve and now the reserve is gone. It’s taken five years to drive it down to only $700.”

Brooks said a steady decline in volunteers and longtime committee members reaching burnout were factors. Without volunteers to help with fundraising, sponsor solicitation and grant writing, each year’s income declined. For last year’s celebration the committee had to use $3,500 of the reserve to continue all of the events.

“We have to do a better job regarding grant money,” Brooks said, adding money is available through various entities, but the committee needs help applying for the grants.

In addition to the parade, fireworks show and evening entertainment, other events include the community fair in Webb Park, a car show and two talent competitions — RB Idol for youths and Golden Idol for seniors. The pre-July 4 talent contests were created to be Spirit of the Fourth fundraisers.

Brooks has been on the committee since 2002. He said when the group met last month, some members wanted to cancel this year’s celebration. But of the 15 present, a majority wanted to give it one more try.

“This is a hard core group, but they are close to burnout,” Brooks said. “(Another) goal is to get more volunteers for succession planning. ... We need people we can train (this year) so we can hand it off (next year).”

He said they need 20 to 30 new volunteers to show up on Feb. 16.

Despite the current dire situation, Brooks said he is optimistic that all of the community’s July 4 festivities can continue this year.

“I really think if we ask and tell (the community) the situation, that we need help, we can get people to say this is important,” he said. “I think they will help us out and we will find the money.”

He added, “This is a Rancho Bernardo tradition and people have a lot of fun at this event. I have seen it on their faces. There are so many (at the fireworks). This is one of the largest community events, maybe a little smaller than RB Alive!, but ours is all day and into the night. It is a tradition Rancho Bernardans enjoy and need to continue.”

To volunteer, financially contribute or details on how to help in another way, contact Brooks at 858-945-1616 or davebrooks@san.rr.com. To learn more about the July 4 festivities, go to SpiritOfTheFourth.org.

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