by Kelsey Penrose
Each year in the capital city for the past 28 years, local non-profit RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) has put on the community fireworks show for free, sometimes taking a financial loss in the process.
RSVP holds four fundraising events over the course of a normal, non-pandemic year; the Mother’s Day/Spring Celebration carnival, the fourth of July celebration and carnival, the Nevada Day carnival, and the Steppin’ Up For Seniors 5K/10K Run-Walk-Jog.
However, due to the pandemic last year, many events were cancelled and so too were their fundraising avenues.
Now, RSVP is asking the community for help in raising additional funds to make sure the fireworks show goes off without a hitch.
According to Molly Walt, Chief Executive Officer for RSVP, the fireworks show costs about $1,000 per minute, and the show lasts for 25 minutes, resulting in a cost each year of $25,000.
Carson City is the show’s biggest sponsor and this year has agreed to pay $15,000 to help the celebration, double what they normally provide each year.
“I’m extremely grateful to (Mayor Lori Bagwell), she has been a great resource,” said Walt.
Carson City Toyota is the second largest sponsor, and they are responsible for purchasing the 3D glasses offered for free to firework viewers at Mills Park, as well as providing the synchronized music courtesy of radio station 102.9. Carson City Toyota has also agreed to a $5,000 sponsorship package.
“What makes us different from other non-profits is that we can’t charge the community a ticket,” said Walt. “It’s a free community event, but our expenses are $25,000 each time.”
RSVP must pay for the cost of the park, the cost of security, the rental for tents and tables for the VIP section, the bands, and more.
At the celebration, there are vendor fees, ticket sales for the carnival, beer tents, food and more to help gain back some of the funding, but many residents choose to watch from locations other than Mills Park, or tailgate at the park with their own food and drink.
In order to help raise some additional funding for the fireworks show this year, a GoFundMe has been started to help recover some of the cost. As of the time of this publication, $225 of the $7,500 goal has been reached.
Additionally, those who are interested in helping can purchase sponsorship packages with packages between $100 to $5,000. Sponsors have access to the VIP Tent during the celebration with speciality drinks and a dinner buffet hosted by Casino Fandango, a private patio, security, and executive restrooms.
Other sponsorship packages for those who want to donate but have other plans for the fourth include sponsoring a band, sponsoring a carnival ride, and more.
Fore more information on sponsorship packages, click here.
RSVP is a rural counties program which provides high-quality, volunteer-driven services that have been in place in Carson City for 45 years. RSVP volunteers and staff help senior citizens in need with critical transportation, respite care, companionship, homemaker services, personal emergency response systems, and much more.
RSVP is a community-based non-profit that helps seniors maintain their dignity, self-respect and independence, and avoid costly long-term institutional care.
To learn more about RSVP, please visit http://www.nevadaruralrsvp.org
