Organizations Hoping Firework Sales Will Provide Financial Relief From Last Year
By: Marlisa Goldsmith
Updated: June 25, 2012
What some may consider an annoying beep, is a refreshing sound for others.
Due to drought restrictions last year, several groups and organizations were not able to raise funds through their annual sale.
"It helps us pay for water for football games. It helps us pay for trips," explains Makayla Jones of Abilene High School.
"We give a couple community scholarships to deserving seniors," says Preston Curry of Abilene's Masonic Lodge.
The Abilene High Band and the Masonic Lodge are just two of several organizations that struggled a bit last year because they couldn't sell fire works.
It is a pretty sight to see, but the possible damage it could have caused if the fire works were not banned would not have been.
These organizations, however, sure felt the burn.
"They're not falling apart, but they're pretty old I'd say," says Jones.
Jones is a member of Abilene High's drum line and says the band really could have used some extra funds.
She says, "Money for drum sets and other drums was kind of sad. We didn't get new drum or percussion things."
The Masonic Lodge also suffered without the funds of their firework sale.
Last year the organization was able to distribute a total of $4,000, half of which had to be provided by the grand body.
"Normally we try to give a few more scholarships than that, but without the firework stand, funding had to come out of our general budget," Curry explains.
As for this year, things are already looking better.
"We're definitely hoping that we'll be able to expand our programs and do a few more things for the community," Curry continues.
For the band, the ability to say three simple words, "Come buy fireworks," is music to their ears.
Both the band and the lodge hope this year they will be playing to a new tune.
Due to drought restrictions last year, several groups and organizations were not able to raise funds through their annual sale.
"It helps us pay for water for football games. It helps us pay for trips," explains Makayla Jones of Abilene High School.
"We give a couple community scholarships to deserving seniors," says Preston Curry of Abilene's Masonic Lodge.
The Abilene High Band and the Masonic Lodge are just two of several organizations that struggled a bit last year because they couldn't sell fire works.
It is a pretty sight to see, but the possible damage it could have caused if the fire works were not banned would not have been.
These organizations, however, sure felt the burn.
"They're not falling apart, but they're pretty old I'd say," says Jones.
Jones is a member of Abilene High's drum line and says the band really could have used some extra funds.
She says, "Money for drum sets and other drums was kind of sad. We didn't get new drum or percussion things."
The Masonic Lodge also suffered without the funds of their firework sale.
Last year the organization was able to distribute a total of $4,000, half of which had to be provided by the grand body.
"Normally we try to give a few more scholarships than that, but without the firework stand, funding had to come out of our general budget," Curry explains.
As for this year, things are already looking better.
"We're definitely hoping that we'll be able to expand our programs and do a few more things for the community," Curry continues.
For the band, the ability to say three simple words, "Come buy fireworks," is music to their ears.
Both the band and the lodge hope this year they will be playing to a new tune.
