Fireworks sales help power 40 Omaha nonprofits: 'Every penny goes for food, clothing and shelter' (2024)

Fireworks go on sale Friday in Omaha through 40 nonprofit groups that will use their proceeds in a variety of ways to help the city’s residents.

Omaha used a new process to award the permits this year. Under the new system, the mayor and each of the seven City Council members recommended 10 nonprofits, creating a pool of 80 from 140 applications. The 40 permit winners were chosen from those 80 applicants in a random drawing, using numbered balls in a keno cage.

Before the new process, each council member and the Mayor’s Office could recommend three to five organizations for the permits. While a committee awarded the permits, those recommendations generally held sway.

Officials from the winning organizations said they were grateful for the money the fireworks proceeds will bring.

Bethlehem House, an organization that helps pregnant and parenting women in crisis, is partnering with Wild Willy’s Fireworks of Council Bluffs to run its stand at 5804 Ames Plaza.

Anne Rohling, chief executive of Bethlehem House, said the money will be critical.

“We were fortunate to get a permit and it’s very important to us because we do house women who have no other place to go,” Rohling said. “Every penny goes for food, clothing and shelter.”

A spokesperson for Wild Willy’s said the company is well aware of the financial aid Omaha nonprofits receive through fireworks sales. Since 2011 when Omaha legalized fireworks, Wild Willy’s has distributed $5.7 million to its nonprofit partners, she said.

Vince Bellino, of Bellino Fireworks in Papillion, said his company operates 265 stands across six states, including 85 to 90 in Nebraska, 105 in Iowa and 55 in Kansas. His company will operate several stands for Omaha nonprofits and then cut them a check for their share of the proceeds.

“Sometimes the group will staff and operate the stands and other times we will do it for them,” Bellino said. “It really depends on how many volunteers they have available and what other things they have going on.”

The Irish Charities of Nebraska/Ancient Order of Hibernians will have a stand at 2500 S. 120th St. It will be operated by Bellino Fireworks, and the approximately $7,500 in proceeds will be earmarked for food distribution, said John Farnan, a past president of Irish Charities.

“Every nickel that comes into our organizations turns around and goes back out as food,” Farnan said. “We make a deal with Just Good Meat (of Omaha) for ground beef at around $2 a pound. We will distribute around 3,500 pounds (of beef).”

Farnan said organizations receiving the beef include Sacred Heart Ministries, the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Stephen Center.

Nonprofits awarded permits to sell fireworks in 2024

100 Black Men of Omaha, Accepted Food Bank, Assure Women’s Center, Banisters Leadership Academy, Benson VFW Post 2503, Bethlehem House, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands, Burke High School Booster Club, CASA for Douglas County, DeLeon Youth Sports, Disabled American Veterans, Douglas County Deputy Sheriff’s Foundation, Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation, Endless Journey Hospice Care, Essential Pregnancy Services, Habitat for Humanity, Heart Heroes Inc., Heartland Hope Mission, Irish Charities of Nebraska/Ancient Order of Hibernians, Jesuit Middle School, Maha Music Festival, Midtown Neighborhood Alliance, Millard American Legion Post 374, National Latino Peace Officers Association, Nebraska Interscholastic Cycling League, Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition, Omaha Academy of Ballet, Omaha Christian Academy, Omaha Conservatory of Music, Omaha Cornhusker Cosmopolitan Foundation, Omaha Northwest High School Foundation, Partnership on Aging/Meals on Wheels, Project Wee Care, River City Mixed Chorus, Roncalli Catholic High School, Septemberfest Salute to Labor, South Omaha American Legion Post 331, South Omaha Veterans and Community Club, St. Vincent de Paul Men’s Club and the Stephen Center.

What are the rules on the sale of fireworks?

Fireworks can be sold within the Omaha city limits through July 4. They are legally allowed to be fired from noon to 11 p.m. starting Tuesday.

Sales of fireworks in Sarpy County began last week and the noisemakers are allowed to be ignited every year from June 25 through July 3, but only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Fireworks can be shot off in Sarpy County until midnight on July 4, except in La Vista, where the cutoff is 11 p.m., and Springfield at 10 p.m.

People who light fireworks have to be 16 years old or older. Those between ages 12 and 15 can discharge fireworks only under the direct supervision of someone 19 years old or older, Omaha police said in a press release.

Fireworks complaints about violations in progress in Omaha should be directed to 402-444-5802, an Omaha police spokesperson said. To report a noise complaint about fireworks in Sarpy County, call 402-593-4111.

Officials are asking people to refrain from calling 911 because calls there could delay emergency calls getting through to dispatchers. People found to be in violation of state and local fireworks ordinances could be cited and may be subject to a fine for each separate conviction.