With a big sigh of relief, Springfield City Council members can’t wait for the annual July 4 fireworks show.

Thanks to a $10,000 grant from Liberty Mutual’s “Bring Back the 4th” initiative, Springfield will have enough money to stage its annual fireworks and cover associated costs. The show, put on by an Effingham County resident, will be held July 3 at Effingham County High School.

“It was in danger of not coming about,” Springfield Mayor Jeff Northway said. “Somehow, we always come through to make it happen. It was a life-saving event that Liberty Mutual put that out there and we were lucky to get that grant.

“Without that grant,” Northway said, “it would have been tough.”

Council members also expressed their appreciation for Brooke Burns, who spearheaded the effort. Burns owns Burns Insurance Associates and Liberty Mutual is among the lines of insurance she carries.

“She was very instrumental,” Council member Butch Kieffer said.

“She pushed it very, very hard,” said Troy Allen.

Springfield didn’t have much time to make something happen with the Bring Back the 4th campaign.

“By the time we heard about it, we had a week to do it,” City Manager Brett Bennett said.

The contest closed June 14, and winners were announced June 17. As part of Springfield’s push, residents across Effingham were asked to put Springfield as their hometown and 31329 as their zip code.

Springfield was one of three small-sized communities to receive one of the grants. Ten communities in all, divided among medium- and large-sized communities, each were awarded a $10,000 grant to assist in Independence Day celebrations.

“The way this took off, the people who made a pitch for us … patriotism is alive and well,” said Council member Kenny Usher.

The city has raised around $7,000 in donations from individuals, groups and business. EFACEC has been a major contributor to the effort, Northway said.