Firework sales help churches

? Local churches and other other nonprofit groups operate 20 of the biggest fireworks stores in the Houston area and use the profits to help pay for new churches and other projects.

Groups that man the stores before New Year’s and Fourth of July can make $10,000 or more in a 10-day season, the Houston Chronicle reported.

“That’s a lot of bake sales,” said Donna Fritz, who manages a store in Angleton for the Christian Tabernacle.

There are no signs at the stores indicating any connection to a church and workers don’t preach anything other than safety.