Fireworks Trust Fund marks 20th anniversary

NICEVILLE, FLORIDA - Twenty years ago several people met for coffee at Tisa’s Americano Pancake House in Niceville to discuss ways to help fund the annual fireworks display in the Twin Cities. The group, headed by Niceville’s Pat Hemby of Carriage Hills Realty, became the Fireworks Trust Fund Committee. It set a goal of raising $90,000 for a trust fund that would help pay for the show each year.

Today, after 20 years of numerous fund-raising events, the Fireworks Trust Fund Committee contributes $6,000 to the annual July Fourth fireworks show. The committee has contributed a total of $56,000 for fireworks since 1998.

"We just kept at it and the trust fund kept growing, little by little," said Hemby, adding, "I can’t believe its been 20 years."

In 1986 the committee’s first fund-raiser was selling homemade chili and hand-painted pumpkins at the Mullet Festival. A significant source of income also came from managing concessions and catering at the opening of many of Bluewater Bay’s neighborhoods.

All donations and proceeds from fund-raising events have gone into the trust and its investments. For 20 years, Dennis Conger of A.G. Edwards, has helped the Trust Fund Committee manage its investments at no charge. Today the Fireworks Trust Fund has grown to $125,000, $35,000 more than the original goal.

Today the only source of income to the Fireworks Trust Fund for the fireworks show are monetary donations and the income earned from newspaper recycling. The committee’s only newspaper recycling collection bin is located behind the Valparaiso Police Department. Last year the committee received $272 from the recycling effort.

Hemby founded the committee and has led its efforts because she feels Fourth of July fireworks help to reaffirm our support for the freedoms we enjoy in America and have a lasting, positive effect on our families and community.

Other members of the original committee who are still active today include Becky Stewart, Sandy Miller, Janet Langille, Jeff McInnis, Cozy (Hemby) Drake, and Bill Hemby.

In addition to help funding the fireworks show, the committee holds an annual fashion show and luncheon to benefit Children in Crisis and fund a college scholarship.

Individuals who would like to help pay for fireworks shows for generations to come can send a contribution to the Fireworks Trust Fund by mailing it to Carriage Hills Reality, 1821 John Sims Parkway, Niceville, FL 32578. Checks should be made payable to the Fireworks Trust Fund. For more information, call 678-5178.