Local Non-Profits Hoping for Recession-Proof Fourth of July
By David Dickstein
Fireworks Fundraisers Begin June 28

Much has been written about San Juan High School’s turnaround in football last season, when the Spartans went from being a team that won just once in 2 years to a respectable 4-6 and falling just one victory shy of making the playoffs. Factors cited for the dramatic improvement ranged from the team’s strong backfield and an improved passing game to beefed up defense and the impact of first-year coach Russ Hibbard.

No stories, however, mentioned fireworks as a reason for the team’s success, and that’s a shame, according to one San Juan parent.

“There’s no question that fireworks helped us almost make the playoffs,” said Citrus Heights resident Brenda Dunning.

Perhaps an explanation is in order: Dunning is chairwoman of the San Juan Boosters’ fireworks fundraiser, so it only makes sense she’d promote her own product. Then again, the woman does have a legitimate argument. Money from last year’s fireworks sale helped pay for the varsity team to attend a highly regarded football camp in Gold Beach, Ore., and Dunning is convinced that the skills developed there had a tremendous, positive effect here.

“It helped us win more games, that’s for sure,” she said.

San Juan Boosters is among hundreds of non-profit organizations in Sacramento County that will sell state-approved fireworks from June 28 through July 4 to support myriad programs locally and beyond.

This year their collective, community-minded fingers are crossed in hope that patriotism will prevail over a downturned economy. Working in favor of the community organizations is the Fourth falling on a Friday, which boosts sales of state-approved fireworks over a non-weekend holiday, according to TNT Fireworks, the sole distributor of “safe and sane” fireworks in Yuba County.

“Tradition tends to be recession-proof, and for most Americans enjoying fireworks on Independence Day is one of the strongest, especially when it’s over a weekend,” said Cathy Castilone, Northern California vice president of American Promotional Events, the wholesale distributor of state-approved TNT fireworks. “Other reasons we predict more families and neighbors will celebrate the holiday together are the general economy and high cost of travel keeping people at home this season.”

While San Juan Boosters is peddling Piccolo Pete, Pink Diamonds and Purple Rain fountains at its TNT stand at 7598 Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights, about 3 miles away the Knights of Columbus Infant Mary Council will be doing the same to support Holy Family Church and other causes.

“It’s one of our major fundraisers,” said Joe Moureaux, who for a 12th year will run the council’s stand at the Citrus Heights church, 7817 Old Auburn Road. “Money goes toward sending youths to Camp ReCreation, to seminarians, to providing wheelchairs to the needy in Mexico, to helping homeless vets with health and legal assistance through the Operation Stand Down program and to Holy Family itself.”

Meanwhile, Family Christian Center will try to sell its fair share of fountains, spinners, smoke items and novelties on its own property at 6521 Hazel Ave. in Orangevale.

“Money raised from our fireworks booth go to help our Club Retro teen center remain open,” said Matthew Oliver, pastor of the Christian rock club that also provides tutoring and counseling for students of several area schools. “We’re fighting to stay open. The only way we can is through donations, and when the economy goes bad people aren’t opening their wallets as wide.

“The success of our fireworks fundraiser could mean the difference between Club Retro surviving or not,” Oliver said.

Another Orangevale group, Casa Roble Rams Boosters, will set up shop at 7301 Filbert Ave. near Orangevale Community Park. Proceeds from what has grown to be the high school supporters’ largest annual fundraiser are earmarked for the sports and pep squad programs, helping pay for equipment, transportation, competition fees and other expenses, according to fundraiser chairwoman Barbara Hill.

Profits from the week’s worth of work will enable the Carmichael Elks Lodge to fatten up financially its Purple Pig project, which provides medical services for children who have no health insurance. Some of the services include vision and hearing tests, and even a home visit from a therapist for physically or mentally disabled children.

“A portion goes to our major project, and some goes to the Boy Scouts, scholarships, drug awareness programs and many other causes embraced by the Elks,” said Bill Cridland of the Carmichael service organization and whose fellow Elk, North Highlands resident Robert Smith, will chair the stand at the lodge, 5631 Cypress Ave.

In Fair Oaks, the TNT stand sponsored by Cambridge Heights Elementary School’s PTO (5450 Dewey Drive in the Safeway parking lot) will raise funds for such needs as nature-related field trips, school supplies and the school’s garden. Across town, New Life Community Church will be sending about 40 junior and high school students to camp in Santa Cruz with some of its profits made at the church, 8101 Sunset Ave.

“A large portion of what we’ll make helps run our youth program called Fuel, and with 150 teens served every week, that’s a lot of kids and young adults who might otherwise be hanging out at a mall or the back of a grocery,” said Jeff Pitnikoff, youth pastor and, for the fourth year, the church’s fireworks chairman.

Like so many non-profits worried about the sour economy, New Life is counting on patriotic citizens for support this Fourth of July.

“You have to have money to run an adequate youth center and fireworks allow us that,” said Pitnikoff of Antelope. “Sure, you can sell candy, sodas and hold car washes, but they just don’t work anymore. They’re too much of a hassle. When you have an opportunity that equals about 300 car washes, well that’s a blessing for us.

Nearby, Bella Vista Boosters Club will be open for business in the Raley’s Supermarket parking lot at 4840 San Juan Ave. in Fair Oaks.

“We’ll be paying off the bills,” said club fundraiser chairwoman Cari Germoles. “All the sports of Bella Vista High School get our support, and each has its own expenses. Some of the money will go toward the new soccer and field hockey field we call our ‘Field of Dreams.’ Yes, it’s going to be hot in the fireworks stand and a lot of work, but all of us who volunteer realize the importance of sports and how they build character and, for some students, could keep them out of trouble.”