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CENTRAL, La. (WAFB) - The city of Central held its second annual Red, White, and Boom celebration on July 5. There was food, live music, and of course fireworks.

The event was free, but organizers hoped to raise donations for troops overseas. The Blue Star Mothers organization hosted the donation collection and was supported by the city of Central and Blackwater Methodist churches. Chris Kaiser is the Missions Director of Blackwater Methodist Church. He says the event exceeded his expectations.

“When you see the community come together, like this is phenomenal because it means we’re all still just one big happy family,” Kaiser says.

Blackwater Methodist has helped support the Blue Star Mothers by collecting over 300 pounds of goods to send overseas. Also a veteran, Kaiser says unity is what it’s all about.

”The coined phrase ‘freedom isn’t free’ is something that we learn every day, and then when we see this happen, it makes us understand that everybody wants to make sure they give back to celebrate this independence that we’ve got,” Kaiser says.

TJ Johnson is the chairman of planning and zoning for the city of Central, as an attendee, he says this event is a chance for the community to remember why we celebrate Independence Day.

“We’ve always been a big giving community,” Johnson says. ”Today is all about the veterans. We’re out here trying to have fun, but also remember that we’re raising funds and also getting goods and everything to mail overseas so that they don’t feel forgotten.”

Kaiser says it’s beyond meaningful to know his community is trying to make a difference in the lives of people like him who are either veterans or active service members.

“I was in Desert Storm, and lots of other places and we really love what the community is doing coming out here, supporting the vets because it’s a lot of comfort that you don’t get over there…no matter what support you get, it’s good to have some things that you get from home.”

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