Local business donates funds for Labor Day activities
Proceeds will benefit county fire departments
Jim Cloutier, owner of Shawmar Oil and Gas Company, said he is donating money for the Labor Day fireworks display at Marion County Park and Lake because he said it was "time to give some back" to benefit Marion County firefighters.
Cloutier said his father helped the Lincolnville fire department and thought it was time he helped as well.
"I decided this year to help," Cloutier said. "The firefighters do a lot for us
Stacey Collett and Mike Regnier, representing Marion County Firefighters Association, announced the donation at Monday's Marion County Commission meeting.
During the commission meeting, Collett and Regnier requested and received permission from the commission to have the fireworks display at the lake Sept. 5, which is the Sunday before Labor Day. They also requested and received free use of the lake hall for a fund-raiser prior to the fireworks display.
Clothier also agreed to donate food for a meal, Collett said. Hot dogs and bratwursts will be served with all proceeds benefiting the county fire departments, Cloutier said.
"People can come and eat and help the county fire departments," Cloutier said.
"This is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for the fire departments," Collett said.
Donation buckets will be set up at the lake gates before and after the fireworks display. All proceeds will be divided among the 10-member association of county fire departments.
The Marion County Economic Development Council initially began the fireworks tradition by requesting and receiving funds from the county.
With budget reductions in 2003, the county cut the funding for the fireworks display. Last year, local businessman DuWayne Suffield contacted local business owners and raised sufficient funds for the display in 2003.
Cloutier said he hopes this event improves each year.
"(This year) we're going to make it a little bit bigger and a little bit longer," Cloutier said.
Cloutier concluded he was not doing this for the publicity but to help.
"We can make this whatever we want to make it as a community," Cloutier concluded.
