Fundraising isn’t really my cup of tea. Juggling three non-profit gigs alongside my wife’s own projects, plus a slew of friends deeply invested in their own causes, leaves me feeling like a perpetual beggar.

Except for the Lincoln Public Safety Foundation. Turns out, rallying support for local law enforcement and first responders is a breeze. Everyone’s on board with that.

Then there’s the annual fireworks extravaganza. We need a hefty seventy grand to pull it off, no ifs, ands, or buts. It’s not your typical fundraiser where we’re squirreling away cash for future plans. Nope, we’ve got a hard deadline to meet. And most folks don’t grasp just how much it takes to orchestrate a full day of festivities – insurance, security, porta potties, you name it. Plus, a hefty chunk for the fireworks themselves. So, fundraising is non-negotiable.

One of our go-to fundraising tactics is cozying up with local eateries. They scratch our back by donating a small slice of their profits when patrons mention our cause. It’s a win-win, usually. But not tonight.

Finding a spot for our Lincoln 4th Of July Foundation powwows is another headache. There’s six of us, and finding a joint that fits us all without drowning in noise is a challenge. Except for this gem we stumbled upon, Via Roma. Their spacious digs and chill vibes won us over. So, when I inadvertently drummed up some business for them on social media, the owner was over the moon. It was only fair to throw them a fundraiser night.

To my shock, the joint was jumping. We wolfed down pizza (who can resist pizza?) and reveled in the lively atmosphere. Best of all, we pulled in some cash for our cause while giving Via Roma a well-deserved boost.

Tonight was a slam dunk for our community. If only every night could be this sweet.