Remember the volunteers who make Fourth of July fun possible

It’s Fourth of July weekend, and time to grab those grills and find the best spot for fireworks.

Many of the celebrations are fueled by volunteers. That’s the case in Bartlett, where a group of citizens comprise the Bartlett Fourth of July Committee.

The committee lost one of its founding members when Tom Schiferl died June 3. He was 78.

But despite the void he left, the committee is moving forward.

Member Cathy August writes that it takes the volunteers a full year to plan the festival. Even though the Bartlett Lions Club helps organize the Fourth of July Parade, the volunteer committee does the brunt of the work.

The group formed after the village no longer wanted to organize the event, August writes.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of events like this in Bartlett and elsewhere. So when chomping down on that hot dog or watching the grand finale at the fireworks show this Independence Day weekend, remember the work they’ve put in. They’ll appreciate it.