For the second year in a row, members of the Fairview American Legion Post are selling fireworks out of roadside stand in hopes of earning enough profit to help their community. The effort started as a modest fundraiser in 2017, but has since doubled in size.
"This money is all pushed right back out to people who live here," said American Legion Post member Allen Murray. "As far as I can tell, it's the best deal in town."
Two years ago, Fairview changed its ordinance to allow non-profits to sell fireworks inside city limits. At the time, the city's American Legion Post was nearing a total collapse.
"It got down to 13 members and you have to have 15 members to remain a post," said Post Commander Jim Van Sickle. "There was not any activity going on with the post so people were losing interest and not showing up."
But with some help, Van Sickle organized a small fundraiser leading up to the Fourth of July. Veterans began reaching out to see how they could help him sell fireworks out of a tent off Fairview Boulevard.
Suddenly, a group with dwindling membership began to see more interest and activity.
Last year, the Legion raised enough money to help cover the costs to send high school students to Boys and Girls State, paid for a Veteran's Day parade and supported several other community projects.
This year, the group has doubled its stock of product and hope to raise even more money - all of which will help Fairview veterans and youth.
If you go:
Where: 1861 Fairview Boulevard
When: Every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. until July 5 or until products sell out
