Leading Fireworks Company Supports Local Non-profits' Innovative Fundraisers

FLORENCE, AL, February 06, 2011

In the weeks preceding the 2011 New Year's celebration, local non-profits set up their tents to continue a time-tested fundraising tradition - selling sparklers. TNT Fireworks, the nation's leading fireworks distributor, has given back to local communities for decades by partnering with local non-profit organizations for New Year's and the Fourth of July.

"Our community fundraising program has consistently helped charity organizations meet their goals," says Tommy Glasgow, president of TNT Fireworks East. "The program also ensures each community will have access to sparklers to help celebrate New Year's and Independence Day."

TNT initiated their community fundraising program more than 40 years ago, and their tents nationwide raise more than $20 million annually to help provide critical support programs to those who need them.
"Unfortunately, the troubles of the current economy are amplified for organizations that depend on the success of local fundraising," Glasgow says. "We do everything we can to help non-profits not only survive, but flourish with the resources necessary to continue serving their communities."

Over the years, TNT has worked with various non-profit organizations in a wide range of states across the nation.

Love Loud Awareness of Cartersville, Ga. has long relied on its partnership with TNT to support its campaign, which gives an outlet to kids at risk. TNT's non-profit program provides Love Loud Awareness with the necessary resources to educate and encourage local kids to do the right thing and make better decisions.

"It's amazing. Selling sparklers from a TNT tent is the best fundraiser I've ever done," says Adam Jernigan, founder and director of Love Loud Awareness. "TNT's staff is absolutely great, and the financial reward is such a blessing."
From setting up tents to safety education, TNT works tirelessly to accommodate its non-profit partners. TNT University - a required day of class for all non-profit partners - educates each school, civic or church organization about how to safely and successfully run a sparklers fundraiser.
First United Pentecostal Church of Jacksonville, Fla. depends on every dollar raised from its sparkler sales campaign to aid the church's important youth ministry. The support of First UPC's partnership with TNT is vital in covering the costs of the church's youth revivals, field trips and gatherings throughout the year, such as their recent trip to the North American Youth Congress in Nashville, Tenn.

"TNT is a reputable company and puts us at very little financial risk," says Michael Guerra, youth minister at First UPC. "We make more money in 10 days than we do with fundraisers the entire year. It's a win-win for both organizations. The fundraising offsets some of the expenses associated with our youth ministry programs."

While the goal of TNT's non-profit program is to raise money, the true success of the program is helping Americans celebrate the New Year and the Fourth of July. Since the days of the founding fathers, Americans have honored Independence Day and expressed their patriotism with sparklers, and 2011 will be no different.

"TNT's tradition of working with community organizations is one of the key factors in our success as a company," Glasgow says. "Each year we work with a wide array of different fundraising organizations coast to coast - from church groups to school athletic boosters. We encourage all non-profits to help make this year's Fourth of July memorable by working with TNT Fireworks in their local communities."

For more information or to register an organization to participate in a TNT fundraiser, visit http://www.tntfireworks.com, or call (256) 764-6131.

ABOUT TNT FIREWORKS
TNT Fireworks (TNT) is the nation's largest distributor of consumer fireworks and novelty items. For more than 50 years, TNT has set the benchmark for safety, customer satisfaction, innovation and quality in the fireworks industry. For more information about TNT Fireworks, visit http://www.tntfireworks.com.