As if their life wasn’t busy enough with their three young
daughters, John and Debbie Tawney are deeply entrenched in the
Independence Day Celebrations, Inc., better known as IDI, that
create the Fourth of July festivities for the city.
As if their life wasn’t busy enough with their three young daughters, John and Debbie Tawney are deeply entrenched in the Independence Day Celebrations, Inc., better known as IDI, that create the Fourth of July festivities for the city.
Every year for more than 100 years, the Morgan Hill community and visitors have celebrated the nation’s birthday with a parade, and the Tawneys, when they moved to Morgan Hill 10 years ago, decided to get involved in community events.
For the past four years, Debbie has taken charge of the more than 300 volunteers needed to run all of the events, and John has supervised the clean up after events. This year, his role has changed a bit, as he has been named vice president of IDI.
Morgan Hill couple active in IDI
n By Marilyn Dubil Staff Writer
Morgan Hill – As if their life wasn’t busy enough with their three young daughters, John and Debbie Tawney are deeply entrenched in the Independence Day Celebrations, Inc., better known as IDI, that create the Fourth of July festivities for the city.
Every year for more than 100 years, the Morgan Hill community and visitors have celebrated the nation’s birthday with a parade, and the Tawneys, when they moved to Morgan Hill 10 years ago, decided to get involved in community events.
For the past four years, Debbie has taken charge of the more than 300 volunteers needed to run all of the events, and John has supervised the clean up after events. This year, his role has changed a bit, as he has been named vice president of IDI.
“I believe I’m going to have to go back to clean up, this job’s just not as sweaty and stressful,” he joked.
John, 57, teaches at Central County Occupational Center in south San Jose.
The couple take a break from IDI in the fall, when things slow down for the organization, except, of course for the Halloween party downtown. But once the new year begins, they and their girls are off and running to prepare for the annual festivities.
“The girls have really enjoyed helping with the posters this year,” Debbie said. “We’ve been all over town, pushing the stroller, asking businesses to hang the posters in their windows.”
When the Tawneys adopted their daughters two years ago, they were all under age 5, two of them in diapers, Debbie said, and friends told her she would have to give up her volunteer work. She’s still extremely busy with IDI, sits on the board of the Mt. Madonna YMCA and gave up her seat on the Morgan Hill Community Foundation board this year.
“I believe our girls are going to grow up with a sense of civic responsibility and pride,” John said.
Debbie, 48, who teaches second grade at El Toro Elementary School, said one of the things she enjoys about being involved with IDI is the family aspect. She said many times, families volunteer to participate in the cleanup of Community Park on July 5 where IDI showcases its spectacular fireworks extravaganza.
“It’s a good family activity, it offers lessons and togetherness,” she said. “I remember one year, these young girls were volunteering, and I heard them talk about how disgusting all the trash was, how volunteering was going to really make them think about dropping even a small piece of paper on the ground now.”
Probably because the crowd at Community Park is in the dark while watching the fireworks, volunteers find a horde of lost and found items, including cell phones, baby things, watches and other things. The Chamber of Commerce office on Second Street downtown is where all of the lost goodies will end up this year, Debbie said, because it is a central location for people to check with.
She also said volunteers are always needed for several events. “We usually don’t have trouble lining up people to pour wine and beer,” she said, “but we also need help with logistics, setting up before the event and tearing down afterwards. It’s hardest to find volunteers to clean up and to work parking.”
Anyone who is interested in volunteering can contact her at 482-5122.
The IDI events center around the parade, which dates back to 1894 and is the largest privately organized parade in northern California. It is also the official Independence Day parade for Santa Clara County.
Morgan Hill is one of only two cities in the Bay Area that holds all-day events on the July 4 holiday.
But the festivities actually begin before July, with the Fire Cracker Golf Classic, this year held on June 22. The next event is the Patriotic Sing on July 3, followed by the annual street dance and live concert.
The actual Fourth of July events begin with a pancake breakfast at P.A. Walsh Elementary School at 7am, followed by the Freedom 5-K Run and one-mile walk beginning at 8am.
There is a pre-parade “Car Cruise” and entertainment beginning at 9am in downtown Morgan Hill, with the parade afterwards at 10am.
Maureen and Bob Hunt have taken on the parade as a personal mission. The husband and wife team said this year’s parade will include several new entries as well as returning favorites. There will be 10 bands, including seven high school bands, plus various floats and groups. Some of the highlights include a “singing soprano on a horse,” Hunt said, a special float from Pinnacle Bank created by a Pasadena float designer and “Miss Wheelchair California.”
Once the parade has ended, there are more activities to come. From 11:30am-2:30pm there will be a family festival downtown, including live entertainment and a car show. At 6pm, Community Park will be the place to be for pre-fireworks entertainment, with the spectacular display beginning after dark.
Hunt said IDI is a rare organization. “It’s not often you find an organization where everybody is 100 percent volunteer,” she said. “Without volunteers, without the support of the community, all these wonderful events could not happen.”
