Charities looking to cash in on firework sales
The Fourth of July is less that two weeks away and firework stands have begun popping up in some desert cities. Nonprofits and local police are hoping to cash in on people buying ‘safe and sane’ fireworks.
Chuck Vasquez runs Rags to Riches Thrift Shop in Cathedral City. The money for the shop goes to Calvary Christian Center. But the church’s big money maker every year is a fireworks stand.
“Fireworks are our largest fundraiser of the year. We have been doing it for 13 years since the ordinance in Cathedral City came into effect,” Vasquez said.
Charities can make anywhere from $8,000 to $30,000 selling ‘safe and sane’ fireworks for a few days leading up to the Fourth of July. Last year some people pushed to get rid of safe and sane fire work sales in Cathedral City, but the City Council decided to allow charities to keep working them.
“It raised so much awareness about the fund raising opportunities that this year more groups than ever applied. They had to use the lottery and a couple of groups didn’t even get in,” said Vasquez.
The ‘safe and sane’ fireworks sold at these stands are much less dangerous than illegal fireworks.
“The ones that make the big booms and cause all the noise, the ones that go up on roofs and up into the sky, those are not what we sell,” said Vasquez.
The six fireworks stands in Cathedral City can start selling fireworks after they are inspected by the Fire Fepartment on June 28. Some of the money collect from fireworks sales goes to the Cathedral City Police Department which will have officers looking out for people shooting off illegal fireworks.
Last year 52 people were contacted by CCPD for using illegal fireworks. Penalties can vary for people caught using illegal fireworks. Igniting large devices like M-80’s and large aerial explosives can be felony offenses.
With very dry conditions, illegal fireworks can be very dangerous.
“We are in a drought this year and that can certainly have a big impact on the fuels that burn,” said John Muhr, battalion chief with the Cathedral City Fire Department. “There is also the impact on the available resources in our area. A lot of our firefighters throughout the county are in other parts of the state fighting fires.”
Another victim of illegal fireworks is pets. The loud booms can scare dogs and cats. During the Fourth of July season, dozens of animals get loose. Make sure your pets are safe inside your home at night.
Before you light up your celebrations there are few things you should know.
Firefighters warn children should never play with fireworks.
Light fireworks at least 20 feet away from combustible materials. Light one at a time and never relight a dud. Keep your pets indoors. Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them in the trash can.
