City seeks donations to save Rose Parade float

City officials this week established a special fund to encourage private donations to fund the city’s annual float entry in the 2012 Tournament of Roses Parade.

Glendale is currently the second-longest float entrant, but with $80,000 in city funding for the float hanging in the balance, the city’s entry is at risk of being withdrawn from this year’s parade.

The Glendale Rose Float Assn. is typically asked to raise $50,000, but has struggled so far this year to attract substantial donations. Facing a $18 million budget shortfall, city officials had initially proposed to scrap the General Fund subsidy, but council members are putting that decision on hold for roughly a month to see how much money can be raised.

Donations are tax deductible and all donors will receive a receipt with a Tax Exemption number, officials said. If the float does not become a reality, donations will be returned.

Checks can be made payable to: City of Glendale, Finance Department, 141 North Glendale Avenue, Room 346, Glendale, CA. 91206. Reference the term “Rose Float Donation” on the check.

Melanie Hicken