A sizable contribution to the Fourth of July fireworks made by John Decas will provide event seed money for the next five years.

Decas, who has lived in Onset since the 1960s, decided to donate $25,000 to the Onset Bay Association. The association received the donation on Thursday and will use $5,000 of it annually for five years to fund the fireworks.

The entire show costs the association, which is run by volunteers, $40,000 each year. The money must be fund-raised each year.

The show didn't happen this year, much to the dismay of residents.

"When we didn't have them last year, I realized I've been taking that program for granted for many, many years," said Decas.

Celebrating the fireworks is something Decas and his family have done for a long time. The show was a favorite of his wife, Beverly, who passed away in 2015. Decas recalled how much she enjoyed the show and dedicated the donation in her memory.

Decas and the Onset Bay Association will establish an endowment for the fireworks with the donation, hopefully encouraging others to give.

"If the rest of us can pitch in the right way, maybe we can develop a strategy that will preserve this event for the years ahead," said Decas. "The idea is to build a fund that will grow."

Onset Bay Association President Kat Jones called Decas's contribution "a call to action" for other businesses in town.

"Starting from zero and having to raise $40,000 every year is a daunting task," said Jones. "This is an opportunity for large businesses and other folks that are supporters of the cause to contribute and have a matching fund campaign."

Jones calls it the "Decas Challenge." She will present the challenge at Tuesday night's Selectmen's meeting.

The Onset Bay Association has raised $22,000 so far for next year's fireworks. The association plans to host numerous fundraising events throughout the year.