KIDS THESE DAYS:

The question of whether to ban safe and sane fireworks in Costa Mesa has overshadowed the hard work of kids and parents the rest of the year.

It is true that for many youth programs, fireworks are the major fundraiser, but there are many other revenue-generating opportunities from which we can choose to support youth sports and other programs.

Little League and AYSO, for example, sell candy, banners, and other products and services to raise money.

There is a segment of the population here in Newport-Mesa that wonders whether it’s worth all the trouble. “Why go through the trouble of selling these things,” parents ask, “why not just ask each parent to write a check to cover their part and keep us from having to supervise our kids during their fundraisers?”

It’s a good question. One of the reasons kids are asked to sell products and services is that not every family has the money to spend. And even though the local youth sports programs would never turn down a kid who could not afford to play, fundraisers give kids a chance to give something back and to be contributing at the same level as the kids for whom the entry fee is not an issue.

But there’s another reason. Kids need to pound the pavement once in awhile so they can have a personal stake in the future of their program. Going door-to-door or asking friends and relatives to make a purchase gives them a perspective they would not otherwise have had mom or dad just written a check.

Local fundraising, helping their organization to become self-sufficient, is part of growing up.

I urge you during this holiday season to look wherever possible for an opportunity to buy from a local youth group. Yes, you may pay a little more, but long-term, most of your dollars will be plowed back into the community.

With that in mind, here are some local organizations that would like you to contact them about gift ideas and fundraisers.

Tracey Daschbach wants you to know that fresh, beautiful poinsettias can be purchased to support the Newport Harbor High School Music program. The plants are 18-inches-tall, foil wrapped and covered in cellophane.

That sounds to me like a gift ready for giving.

• On Nov. 17, the second annual Kaiser/Woodland PFO fundraiser will take place at the American Legion hall. Admission is $50 per person or $85 per couple.

The fundraiser is a “Monte Carlo Night” and those are always fun. For more information, contact Chris Brockhoff at [email protected].

• The aforementioned poinsettias will be available Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 and are only $7.50 per plant. To order, contact Tracey at [email protected] or call (949) 722-1293.

• A fabulous holiday gift idea is the purchase of a personalized stadium brick that will be set in place just outside the new sports complex under construction at Estancia High School.

If you’ve seen these before, such as at Disneyland, you’ll recognize that this is the closest most of us will get to immortality.

Bricks will accommodate up to three lines of text and will be in place by summer of 2008. To order, or for more information, visit www.Costamesaunited.com.

• This year, buy your Christmas tree from the boosters supporting the Estancia High School baseball program. The trees are only three days old when you pick them up at the school and they look and smell fabulous.

This year, the boosters will deliver your tree, too, for a small charge of $10 within a 5-mile radius.

To order, or for more information, e-mail Jeanne Thornton at .

Please support these and other local organizations this holiday season. It’s good for them and it’s good for you, too.

STEVE SMITH is a Costa Mesa resident and a freelance writer. Send story ideas to [email protected].