Attention News Editors:
Savethefireworks.ca launches website and online donation drive to bring back The Celebration of Light
VANCOUVER, Feb. 9 /CNW/ - Savethefireworks.ca today launched their
official campaign and online donation drive at
www.savethefireworks.ca to
revive Vancouver's signature summer event, The Celebration of Light.
Patrick Postrehovsky, of Vancouver based FCV Technologies and his team of
designers and developers are behind the effort to facilitate public support by
providing an online destination where public and corporate donations can be
made in support of the Vancouver Festival Fireworks Society (The Society) and
The Celebration of Light. He has also teamed up with Rachel Kane, who is a
local twelve year veteran of the Canadian pyrotechnic production team to
spearhead the effort.
"Like many others in Vancouver we were disappointed to hear the news that
the 2009 HSBC Celebration of Light was canceled, and felt we had the drive and
the resources to step up and do what was needed to channel the communities'
passion effectively," stated Patrick Postrehovsky, Director of
Savethefireworks.ca. "After speaking with The Vancouver Fireworks Festival
Society it was obvious to us they had exhausted options and resources, given
the current economic climate, and we felt if we did not act quickly this event
might not be brought back from the brink, as it was in 2001," Postrehovsky
stated.
Kane, who has extensive experience with fireworks and special effects,
and a long history with The Celebration of Light, spoke on behalf of the
Canadian pyrotechnicians and production team, who work annually with each of
the competing teams throughout the festival. "For many of us, this barge is
where we grew up together. We've learned from the best in the world, and we've
become a family. There is nothing on earth like being on the barge during the
shows, and we can hear the crowds roaring, even over the biggest blasts - it's
amazing. It is genuinely heartbreaking to us to think we might not get to
share our passion with hundreds of thousands of people this summer," stated
Kane.
Executive producers for The Celebration of Light have endorsed this
campaign and have agreed to extend the deadline required to source all
suppliers in time for the show. They have expressed surprise and delight in
the scale and dedication of the Vancouver community, and have made known their
support and enthusiasm.
Savethefireworks.ca allows the public and business community the
opportunity to donate and raise the $400,000 shortfall needed to bring back
this year's event. That was the amount The Society indicated would need to be
raised to keep the 2009 event on track.
To produce The Celebration of Light in 2010 and beyond will require an
annual financial commitment of $4 million.
The website will keep a daily track of funds raised. Donations can be
made at
www.savethefireworks.ca All donations are tax-deductible to the
fullest extent allowed by law. An official tax-receipt will be emailed to all
donors. Donation transactions are 100% secure through the Paypal donations
system. Every dollar will make a difference.
Savethefireworks.ca will not be engaging in cash collections or public
solicitations of any sort. Donating through the website is the only legitimate
public channel to financially support The Celebration of Light with your
generous donation.
An official Facebook group has also been launched that is part of the
campaign where supporters can post stories, photos and share their experiences
from past Celebration of Light events.
About Savethefireworks.ca
Savethefireworks.ca is a not for profit group that supports The
Celebration of Light and the Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society.
Savethefireworks.ca has officially launched
www.savethefireworks.ca to
bring together all of the supporters, locally, nationally, and internationally
who have expressed a heartfelt desire to contribute to the Festival.
All funds raised will be used to cover the costs of staging this annual
signature event in Vancouver. Please join us on our Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/home.phpNo./...id=66781677673 so we can keep
you updated on our progress and activities in bringing back the Celebration of
Light. You can also sign-up to our Twitter feed
http://twitter.com/savefireworks to keep on top of the latest developments and
become a proud supporter of The Celebration of Light.
For further information: For all media inquiries please contact: Patrick
Postrehovsky, Director, Savethefireworks.ca, Email:
Patrick@savethefireworks.ca, Cell: (604) 916-2718; For all other inquiries and
questions please email:
info@savethefireworks.ca
Attention News/Assignment/Photo Editors:
Savethefireworks.ca to host exclusive media event on The Celebration of Light Barge
VANCOUVER, Feb. 9 /CNW/ - Savethefireworks.ca was organized in response
to the cancellation announcement made Feb 4th regarding the Celebration of
Light Fireworks Festival for 2009. Thousands of people from Vancouver and
around the World have expressed their disappointment at the news and have
voiced their willingness to financially support The Celebration of Light for
2009 and beyond.
This campaign will make possible the coordination of private and public
donations towards the funds still needed to ensure the Celebration of Light
for 2009 continues as planned.
In support of the Savethefireworks.ca official campaign launch and online
donation drive at
www.savethefireworks.ca the local Celebration of Light
Pyrotechnic Crew and Savethefireworks.ca is extending an exclusive and limited
invitation to members of the media to join us on The Celebration of Light
fireworks barge, for a rare behind the scenes tour of the site that stages
this spectacular annual fireworks competition.
Campaign director Patrick Postrehovsky, veteran pyrotechnician Rachel
Kane, and senior members of the pyrotechnic crew will be available for photos
and interviews. A formal announcement will be made at 2:30pm, followed by a
Q&A period, and individual interviews and photo opportunities.
<<
Who:
Patrick Postrehovsky, Director - Savethefireworks.ca
Rachel Kane, Media Host - Savethefireworks.ca
When:
Thursday February 12, 2009
>>
This event is limited to a maximum of 16 members of the media on a first
come, first served basis. Please contact us directly to book your spot. There
are a limited number of spots available on the water taxi transport to the
barge.
We ask that all confirmed media attendees are gathered no later then
1:30pm at 89 Rogers Street. The water taxi will be departing promptly at 2pm.
Why:
To invite the media to celebrate the launch of the Savethefireworks.ca
campaign and to further promote the media community's commitment to saving
Vancouver's signature summer event. Our aim is to coordinate public and
corporate support through secure tax-deductible donations, and to bring to
light the fact that there is an enormous potential and an activated
infrastructure in place to revive fundraising efforts in time to produce The
Celebration of Light for 2009.
The barge and pyrotechnicians that launch the thousands of shells that
fill English Bay skies every summer with light, colour and music will launch
our campaign.
<<
Where:
The Celebration of Light Barge
Water taxi meeting location: 89 Rogers Street
Google Maps link:
http://tinyurl.com/co9nfy
Media:
To reserve your spot on the water taxi transport please email us directly
and we will confirm your attendance promptly.
info@savethefireworks.ca
>>
We will try to accommodate all media equipment but please be aware of the
limited space available. As this event is being held outdoors please dress
appropriately for the weather.
<<
Please provide us with the following
- Media affiliation
- Contact information (including names of your team, position, primary
cell and email contact)
- Any special requirements we should be made aware of
- Any advance questions you wish to submit will be reviewed and
responses will be provided on the day
>>
For further information: For all media inquiries please contact: Patrick
Postrehovsky, Director, Savethefireworks.ca, Email:
Patrick@savethefireworks.ca, Cell: (604) 916-2718; For all other inquiries and
questions please email:
info@savethefireworks.ca