LUFKIN, TX (KTRE) -
As Fourth of July celebrations come to a close
one Lufkin firework stand is counting their blessings.
"We're just going to keep going
and trust the Lord," said Luis Salazar, Youth Pastor, Clawson Assembly of
God Church.
Clawson Assembly of God Church sells
fireworks each year to raise money for their youth ministry. But this year a
break in cost them 13 hundred dollars worth of product.
"It set us back a little bit in
light of last year where we couldn't sell fireworks, that was a bit of a bummer
and then to have something like this happen it was heart-wrenching," said
Salazar.
The money made selling fireworks goes
towards sending the church's youth group to camp and a national fine arts
competition in Kentucky next month.
"On our own it's really hard to
make money for these kinds of things so it's good that we have something out
there that helps kids that don't really have the money to go," said Dillon
Richey, Student, Clawson Assembly of God Church.
Dillon Richey helped to sell fireworks
and participates in fine arts competitions. He says the seasonal fundraiser
gives everyone the opportunity to be involved.
"Fine arts really has something
for everybody and their talents its very popular here because everybody has a
chance to do something," said Richey.
Despite the break-in the church was
still able to raise about three thousand dollars, with the help of the
community and late Independence Day sales.
"We're a little bit shy of our
goal somebody donated 500 dollars and another person donated 100 dollars," said
Salazar.
While the theft left a gap in the
fundraiser, the ministry is looking forward to a positive future.
"There's no hard feeling, the
main thing is we would like to recover our product but so that way we can sell
it next season during the Christmas and New Year's season," said Salazar.
On July 22nd, Clawson Assembly of God
will host a dinner theater fundraiser.
Students participating in fine arts competition
will show off their talents and serve dinner for their audience. The
performance will start at six.
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