Dunkin' Donuts representatives Steve Andrade and Jennifer Fontaine on the left present a ceremonial check to Peter Rego and Kim Allard, chairpersons of the city's fireworks fundraising committee, Council President Frank Cook and Mayor Kevin Dumas. Every year Dunkin’ Donuts contributes $10,000 to the Independence Day fireworks in the DD Challenge which requires the city to raise a matching amount.
The city’s fireworks fundraiser got its annual java jolt of cash from local Dunkin’ Donuts owners Tuesday.
City franchise owners pledged $10,000 at a city council meeting to help pay for the Fourth of July fireworks that’s solely funded by donations from businesses and individuals.
Steve Andrade, who owns five Dunkin’ Donut shops, and Jennifer Fontaine, who manages the County Square shop, presented a ceremonial check to fundraising co-chairpersons Peter Rego and Kim Allard.
The popular fireworks show costs more than $35,000.
Mayor Kevin Dumas said the event would not be possible without the generosity of Dunkin’ Donuts, the single largest contributor, as well as other businesses and thousands of individuals.
It’s the seventh consecutive year of the “DD Challenge” which requires the city to match the $10,000 donated by Dunkin’ Donuts.
In years past, the money has been given by the corporate office, but due to a bad economy and budget cuts the cash is coming directly from local franchise owners, officials said.
Fontaine said the owners didn’t hesitate to step forward to fill the gap.
Andrade agreed.
“We’re glad to do it,” he said.
City officials, employees and other volunteers will be soliciting cash at the shops in the coming weeks.
