At noon on Monday, fireworks of the safe & sane variety officially went on sale.

Benefiting were many of the non-profit groups and organizations in Manteca, Lathrop, Ripon and the surrounding areas.

“Business has been booming,” said Jory Kusy at the TNT booth on Mission Ridge Drive in Manteca, near the corner Jack in the Box restaurant and adjacent to Big 5 sporting goods.

He added that proceeds will help the many of the non-profit endeavors of Knights of Columbus 10693 – Catholic men of faith and charitable actions – while also supporting St. Anthony’s parish.

Organizations such as the local Knights of Columbus and Christian Worship Center Life are thrilled to be among lucky winners of the lottery to sell fireworks as a major fundraiser of the year.

“Some of the proceeds will help boost our general fund and the various mission projects,” said Norma Carbajal of CWC Life.

She had several volunteers working the booth on this first day of firework sales in the Raley’s shopping center parking lot, including Gilbert Echeverria, Kim Lewis, Esmeralda Rodriguez and Maria Rodriguez, who worked the afternoon.

Those at the CWC Life booth also reported steady fireworks sales – the booth will be open beginning at 10 a.m. on most days, from now through the Fourth of July (Sunday) or while supplies last.

Kusy at the Knights’ booth indicated that fireworks are in short supply this year.

“I think that’s why a lot of people were out (buying) today,” he said.