One of the most important weeks of the year for fundraising starts Sunday, June, 28 for 16 Manteca-based non-profits.

That’s when safe and sane fireworks legally start in Manteca.

In previous years, TNT and Phantom have reported combined Manteca gross sales in excess of $1 million.

The two for-profit concerns split revenue 50-50 with non-profit partners.

The non-profits from their share cover booth rental, insurance, and ground rent costs as well as man the booths.

While that reduces their 50 percent cut of the gross, they still collectively net hundreds of thousands of dollars at week’s end.

The fireworks firms pay for the product being sold as well as delivery from their half.

In 2005, then councilman Vince Hernandez successfully led an effort to allow safe and sane fireworks in the city to help non-profits raise money.

The use of fireworks manufactured or modified to go airborne or not stay stationary are not only illegal in Manteca but in the entire State of California.

Since Manteca allows the sale of safe and sane fireworks, they must comply to a state law that prohibits their sale to a seven-day period that ends at midnight on July Fourth.

In doing so, cities like Manteca cannot prohibit the use of safe and sane fireworks during those seven days.

That said, illegal fireworks can’t be used ever, even during the seven day period.

The booths were safe and safe and sane fireworks sales start June 28 are:

*American Legion Post 249 (Phantom), 815 W. Lathrop Road, Calvary Community Church.

*Batbusters Gomes Inc. (TNT), 1194 E. Yosemite Ave., Del Taco.

*Boys and Girls Club of Manteca (TNT, 1205 S. Main St., Walmart

*Cornerstone Community Church (TNT), 125 Louise Ave., Jack in the Box

*East Union Athletic Boosters (Phantom), 1125 N. Union Road, Valley Christian Fellowship

*His Recovery House (TNT), 1245 W. Yosemite Ave., NWC Yosemite/N. Union

*Living Hope Service (TNT), 1172 N. Main St., Save Mart

*Manteca Chargers Youth (Phantom), 131 Spreckels Ave., Food 4 Less

*Manteca Futbol Club (Phantom), 1630 W. Yosemite Ave., Wendy’s

*Manteca Little League (TNT), 1280 W. Lathrop Road, Raley’s

*Place of Refuge (Phantom), 1081 S. Main St., Jack in the Box

*S&H Athletics (Phantom), 1100 S. Airport Way, SWC at West Louise Ave.

*Sequoia Church (TNT), 1050 Union Road, Sequoia Church

*Sprouting Generations (Phantom), 1422 Grove Ave., Bass Pro Church