Last modified: Sunday, June 8, 2008 1:28 AM EDT Busy city youth commission proves adept at fundraisers BY GEORGE W. RHODES SUN CHRONICLE STAFF ATTLEBORO - The city's youth commission is less than a year old, but is already showing it's adept at raising money for city causes. Commissioners who took part in the Memorial Day parade made a little more than $1,000 for the city's Fourth of July fireworks show by soliciting parade-goers as they marched. Hard work praised Former city councilor and commission adviser Barry LaCasse said the group's enthusiasm and the positive response by parade-goers made the effort successful. "Their hard work and dedication along with the generosity of the people at the parade was overwhelming," said LaCasse, who is the city's budget administrator. At least 15 of the 31 commissioners took part. They marched holding a 48-star flag that was once flown over a battleship, LaCasse said. Fundraising for the fireworks was a last-minute project suggested by commission Chairman Jonathan Kirby after he found out that contributions for the annual event were coming in slower than normal this year. Fireworks Treasurer Deanne Auclair said the fund was about $4,700 behind the amount that had been collected last year at this time. The total cost of the fireworks is about $38,000. Meanwhile, a Mother's Day Flower sale netted the youth commission about $1,200. The commission used about $600 of that amount to buy meals for a Marine marching band that appeared in the parade. The commission donated another $300 out of the $1,200 to the fireworks fund. Auclair praised the group. "I think it's wonderful that so many young people are interested in helping the city," she said. Band battle planned LaCasse, who as a city councilor pushed to get the group established, said he's pleased with what appears to be a growing interest in the group. New applications for membership continue to come in, he said. "It does my heart good to see it continue to grow and help the city of Attleboro," LaCasse said. In addition to its fundraising, the commission sponsored an art show on Memorial Day and has scheduled a youth "battle of the bands" on June 13 at the Newell Shelter in Capron Park.