DOWAGIAC — Despite rainy and gloomy weather Monday morning, Becky Grabemeyer, of the Young Professionals of Greater Dowagiac, was thinking about warm weather as she collected a $500 check from Honor Credit Union. The money will be used to fund an annual summer celebration.

The Young Professionals of Greater Dowagiac has kicked off its annual fundraising campaign for its firework display, which will be hosted in celebration of the Fourth of July. The display will take place at dusk on June 28, with a rain date of July 3.

This year’s event will mark the sixth year the young professionals have hosted the firework display, which was revived after nine years of the city having no Fourth of July display.

This year’s fundraising goal for the firework display is $8,000, which Grabemeyer said she is confident the young professionals will be able to meet. The $8,000 will cover the cost of fireworks and insurance.

“Due to starting early and having such a supportive community, we will meet our goal,” Grabemeyer said.

Currently, the young professionals have received donations from Honor Credit Union, Jeff Neumann and F&V Operations and Resource Management.

Representatives Norma Greenman and Janie Reifenberg with Honor Credit Union donated to the firework display Monday morning. A fifth-time sponsor, they said the credit union gives each year as its leadership believes the firework display to be an important event in Dowagiac.

“It’s good for the community,” Greenman said. “It gives people somewhere to go and something beautiful to see.”

“[The display is] fun, and it’s safe,” Reifenberg added. “We enjoy supporting the Young Professionals because they are such an amazing group.”

Grabemeyer said she is grateful to all the businesses, like Honor Credit Union, and individuals that have continually supported the Young Professionals in meeting their goal of providing the community with a Fourth of July celebration. She added that the fireworks display is an effort by the Young Professionals to better the community and set an example of volunteerism and community involvement for young community members.

“This is a homegrown event, from the young professionals who organize it to the businesses and individuals that support it to the families that attend,” she said. “Without community support, [the fireworks] would not happen every year.”

Those looking to donate to the 2019 Young Professionals of Greater Dowagiac firework display can send a check made out to YPGD to P.O. Box 586, Dowagiac, Michigan. Honor Credit Union, 56337 M-51 S., Dowagiac, will also be accepting check donations for the display.