A few days ago, the NYTimes ran a sad article (at least for fireworks lovers like myself) detailing how many municipalities, faced with a budget shortfall, have had to cut back or completely eliminate their fireworks displays this year. In many of the areas surveyed for the article, it was the difference between putting on one show and saving one job. Obviously they chose the later. In some areas, civic and nonprofit leaders scrambled to fill the void left by the city, but that really leads to the question of how lavish fireworks show align with pretty much any nonprofit’s mission (except for perhaps the National Fireworks Association). While I am sure civic organizations can promote such family friendly activities as fireworks displays, isn’t it somewhat silly to focus on something so limited in time when the national unemployment rate may soon hit 10%? Wouldn’t that money be better spent on, oh I don’t know, services to the community?
Fireworks outrage aside, however, I didn’t find a story about a situation where fireworks and nonprofits were actually able to work together in a harmonious manner. It seems that TNT Fireworks has taken to teaming up with local nonprofits to help them raise funds through the sale of sparklers and other consumer Fireworks. So, as cities eliminate their commercial fireworks, would it be possible to return the focus to the local, backyard celebrations, sparklers and all. This may be an odd time to quote an Allstate commercial:
but lets get back to basics because “the basics are good.”
Filed under: fundraising
