The Perry Fareway raised $1,503.52 from its patriotic customers last week, who donated dollars in the annual “Round Up” fundraiser for the Perry Fourth of July fireworks.
Fareway Manager Travis Landgrebe gave special praise to Phyllis Manternach-Barr, whose cashiering skills brought in the highest total.
“Phyllis is the greatest,” Landgrebe said.
Bob Wilson, executive director of the Perry Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the holiday extravaganza, said more than $13,000 has been raised for this year’s show, but there is still time for donors to help the chamber reach its $15,000 goal.
“People still have time to donate,” Wilson said, “because we have until May 15 to place our order for the fireworks.”
He said the Iowa legislature’s recent reform of the state’s fireworks law will not have an effect on the Chamber’s holiday spectacle because the law distinguishes between fireworks as a private liberty of individual Iowans and as a commercial production by public entities.
Under the new law, local governments could forbid the use of fireworks but not their sale. An estimated $1.5 million in sales tax revenue could be generated by fireworks sales in the 2018 fiscal year, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency.
Generous shoppers also have until May 6 to round up their purchase totals to the nearest dollar and give the difference to PACES — Perry’s Academic, Cultural and Enrichment Services Before/After School Learning Center for pre-kindergarten through fifth graders.
