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Friday's Internet Edition, November 21, 2008.
Galt nonprofits hoping for recession-proof Fourth of July
Fireworks fundraisers begin June 28 in area - on Caroline and Fairway in Galt
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Get ready to celebrate the Fourth of July family-style in Galt as TNT fireworks go on sale June 28.
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By David Dickstein
Special to the Herald
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When Galt celebrates America’s birthday with fireworks on the Fourth of July, some of the people oohing and aahing will have the Galt Lions Club to thank for the bright, colorful visuals. Free eye exams and glaucoma screenings are among ways this local service club supports the community, and much of the funding comes from selling state-approved fireworks.
The Lions Club is among several Galt nonprofit groups that will operate fireworks stands from June 28 through July 4. For the sake of the community, these organizations are hopeful that patriotism will prevail over a down turned 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, which is the exclusive retailer in Galt.
“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.”
Dick Smith, who is on the Lions Club board and is chairing the fireworks fundraiser with fellow Galt resident Reuven Epstein, said, “Fireworks, by far, provide most of the money” for the group’s do-gooding, with its annual crab feed coming in a distant second.
“Our greatest success is the ever-increasing number of people who take advantage of our sight program,” Smith said. “But, while we provide free glaucoma screenings to first graders and full eye exams to about 70 people annually, including at the Strawberry Festival, we’re also supporting a Galt Boy Scout and Girl Scout troop, hand out flags to citizens, provide high school scholarships, donate to the cancer society, City of Hope and other organizations, and so many other causes, and much of this is thanks to patriotic citizens who buy our fireworks.”
While the Lions are peddling Piccolo Pete, Pink Diamonds and Purple Rain fountains at its TNT Fireworks stand at 10319 Twin Cities Road across from Raley’s Supermarket, Galt Illusion Girls Fastpitch will be selling its fair share of fountains, spinners, smoke items and novelties across Highway 99 at the intersection of Twin Cities and East Stockton Boulevard.
“It’s our major fundraiser of the year,” said Brenda Renfrow, secretary of the 60-girl league. “Revenue enables us to charge about $300 for fees when the going rate is more like $600 or $700. We also use the money for the equipment, tournament and travel fees associated with running four girls’ softball teams.
“Without the fireworks stand, our organization would diminish,” Renfrow added. “We work very hard this one week to sell as much as possible for the betterment of our teams and the overall organization.”
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