SEATTLE – Starbucks and Microsoft have announced they are making big donations as part of a community effort to save this year's Lake Union Fourth of July fireworks show.
It's an effort that started Thursday morning on the Dave Ross Show on 97.3 KIRO-FM. Ross started his show with the news that the outfit that puts on the display was canceling it because they couldn't find a sponsor to pick up the half-million dollar tab. Within a few minutes, famed Seattle restauranteur Tom Douglas was on the line offering a donation of $5,000 and urged other Seattle businesses to get behind the cause.
Ross offered up $1,000 of his own money, and the game was on. By noon the radio station had raised more than $50,000.
One Reel, which produces the fireworks show, told Ross that they would need to have all the money by "next week" and that it would be a "miracle" if they could pull it off.
Then, at 5 p.m. Thursday, KIRO-FM announced that Microsoft and Starbucks were stepping up by each donating $125,000. Their contributions make up half the money needed to keep the show going.
Ross has urged his listeners to pledge by Monday so the organization would have enough time to line things up. Dozens of small businesses, including Seattle's Red Mill Burgers have been calling in. The owners donated $3,000 to the cause.
"Small business is the backbone of America," said Red Mill's John Shepherd. "We run the economy of this country, and if we have to do this as well we will."
As of 5 p.m. Thursday, a total of about $330,000 had been donated, leaving a gap of $170,000 that has to be made up by Monday.