The Friends of the Park fundraising drive has received a gold coin every year.

ZELIENOPLE — The Friends of the Park is set to embark in January on its sixth year of its fundraising drive to pay for the borough’s Fourth of July fireworks.

The drive has been aided the last five years by a generous anonymous donor who has donated a gold coin. The fireworks fund drive usually runs from January through April.

Alecia Flood, Zelienople parks and recreation director, said the Friends of the Park this past summer again received a gold coin. This time it was a 1991 1-ounce $50 Liberty fine gold coin that was donated to the Friends of the Park.

It’s the fifth year running the drive has received a donation of a gold coin. She estimated value of the latest coin at about $1,200.

“We’re very thankful that the anonymous person keeps putting the gold coin into our collections,” said Flood, adding she’s also thankful for all the people who donate to make the summer holiday display possible.

“We couldn’t have the fireworks without the community’s involvement. Every little bit helps,” she said. The cost of the annual Zambelli Fourth of July display is around $6,500.

Maddalon Jewelers on South Main Street helps the group cash in on their donations since it started its fundraising efforts.

In 2012, the group received a 1-ounce gold U.S. $50 coin minted in 1989. It was valued at $1,600.

In 2011, a 1990 U.S. Liberty, 1-ounce, solid gold coin that had never been circulated was donated. It was valued at $1,500.

Three years ago, a rare $20 U.S. gold coin was donated. It was a 1906 U.S. coin, made of more than an ounce of gold. The value was $1,200.

The group received its first gold coin in 2009. That was a 1979 South African Krugerrand, which depicted the late South African President Paul Kruger on one side and an antelope on the other. It was valued at $900.

The Friends of the Park is a nonprofit group that works to preserve and enhance the borough’s park off East Beaver Street.

The group has raised money in recent years to make improvements to the swimming pool and the concession stand, pay for the fireworks, install a new slide, heated showers, for a paved seating area and to add tables in the park.

Send firework donations to: Friends of the Park, P.O. Box 142, Zelienople, PA 16063.

For more information, contact Flood at flood@zoominternet.net or call 724-452-0231.

Information also is available on the Friends of the Park website at www.myzeliepark.org.