American Pyrotechnics
Safety & Education Foundation
Smoke Signals Newsletter
Fireworks Safety & Education Newsletter
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In This Issue:
2025-2026 APSEF Board of Directors
2025 Foundation Fundraising Efforts
Bucket Brigade for Safety
Coloring Books
In Memory of Gregg Smith
Stay Connected
Happy Thanksgiving!
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APSEF Leadership:
Brandon Corn, President
Jessica Dragoui, Vice President
Matt Rhinehart, Secretary
A.J. Burns, Treasurer
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2025-2026 APSEF Board of Directors
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The American Pyrotechnics Safety & Education Foundation (APSEF) is pleased to announce the 2025–2026 Board of Directors. This distinguished group of industry leaders will continue advancing APSEF’s mission to promote fireworks safety, education, and public awareness nationwide.
The APSEF congratulates and welcomes the following individuals to the Board of Directors:
- Brandon Corn, Fireworks Over America, President
- Jessica Dragoiu, Phantom Fireworks, Vice President
- Anthony "AJ" Burns, North Central Industries,Treasurer
- Matt Rhinehart, Spirit of '76, Secretary
- Stacy Blake, National Fireworks Association, Director
- Herb Chan, United Pyrotechnics, Director
- Ryleigh Glenn, Fireworks Over America, Director
- Katherine Guccione, Pyro Novelties, Director
- Michael Makowski, Clover, Director
- Paul Smith, PGI, Director
- John Steinberg, PGI, Director
- Reed Treend, Acrisure, LLC, Director
- Ron Zoldan, Phantom Fireworks, Director
- Julie Heckman, APA & APSEF Executive Director
Each of these individuals brings deep experience and a strong commitment to the Foundation’s educational outreach and safety initiatives. Together, they will guide APSEF’s strategic programs, partnerships, and public safety campaigns throughout the coming year.
The Foundation also extends our heartfelt appreciation to Vince Bellino, Justin Thomas and Jason Trout who have all termed off of the APSEF Board after serving three three-year consecutive terms. Their dedication has been instrumental in expanding APSEF’s impact and advancing its mission to ensure the safe and responsible enjoyment of fireworks.
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2025 Annual Meeting & Convention: APA’s Got Talent!
APA’s “Salute to Hollywood” themed talent night was a showstopper. DJ Rich Intempo got the crowd moving, Jesse Veverka and AJ Burns hosted with flair, and thanks to your generosity we raised nearly $13,000 for the American Pyrotechnics Safety and Education Foundation (APSEF). Big thanks to North Central Industries for sponsoring the event.
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2025 WEC - APSEF Hits a Strike with February Fundraiser at Brooklyn Bowl!
The American Pyrotechnics Safety & Education Foundation (APSEF) lit up the lanes at Brooklyn Bowl in downtown Las Vegas for a night of fun, community, and fundraising—all in support of fireworks safety education. The event was held in February 2025 during the Winter Education Conference. Guests enjoyed a lively evening of bowling, music, and unforgettable camaraderie - it was clear that the APSEF community knows how to celebrate safely and have a great time doing it.
Thanks to the generosity of attendees and sponsors, the evening was a huge success, exceeding the foundation’s fundraising goals. Proceeds from the event will directly support APSEF’s mission to educate youth and families about the responsible use of consumer fireworks.
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Bucket Brigade for Safety
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This past season, we partnered again with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control with their Bucket Brigade program and donated 20,000 stickers for their distribution. The State of Colorado has been very effective in teaching children about firework safety and the program was adopted in their library system this past year.
The APSEF Board of Directors strongly supports this effort and encourages other States to adopt similar programs to help spread the fireworks safety message. In 2026, the Board plans to prepare Bucket Brigade kits that include materials to encourage this effort and distribute them to the Fire Marshals & other key contacts in all 50 States. At the NFA & APA conventions this year, Pyro Novelties donated mini 5-gallon buckets with the Foundation’s logo on them to help highlight & promote this important program.
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Fireworks Safety Coloring Books
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The Foundation’s Coloring and Activity book program continues to be strong. The books feature Professor Sparkz and include sixteen pages of fun-filled activities to promote the safe use of fireworks. In the past 4 seasons, over 400,000 books have been printed and over $70,000 of funds were raised from the sale of these books.
The generic versions of the books are available year-round from Pyro Novelties in both English and Spanish. If you wish to purchase books by the case of 250, please call (800) 552-3499 and they will process your order manually, extending the wholesale price of .99 cents per book ($247.50 per case). If you wish to purchase just a few individual copies, individual copies may be ordered via the Pyro Novelties online store.
The books are produced once per year in March with all books printed & shipped to be received by the first week of April. If you would like to order custom books with your logo and website incorporated into the front & back covers, the minimum order is 5,000 books and the total cost runs about $3,800 with shipping. Commitments are due to Katherine at Pyro Novelties by February 2, 2026. Invoices are then sent with the pre-payment of funds due no later than February 27, 2026. If you are interested in participating in this fantastic opportunity, please give Katherine a call at (800) 552-3499 or email at [email protected]. We will also be updating the cover and some of the activities for the 2026 season to keep the books fresh.
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We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all of our loyal supporters who made a donation in honor of Gregg Smith. Your generosity and kindness are a true reflection of the spirit and dedication that Gregg brought to our community.
Your thoughtfulness not only honors Gregg’s memory but also strengthens our shared mission and the community he helped to build. If you would like to make a contribution in Gregg's honor, please click here.
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Stay Connected with the APSEF!
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Thanksgiving Greetings from the APSEF!
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As we gather with family and friends to celebrate this season of gratitude, APSEF would like to take a moment to thank you, our members, partners, and supporters, for your continued dedication and support throughout the year.
Your commitment to our shared mission inspires everything we do. Because of your efforts, APSEF continues to grow, connect, and make a meaningful difference in our community.
May your Thanksgiving be filled with warmth, good company, and plenty of reasons to give thanks.
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©2025 APSEF | 4891 Long Beach Rd., SE | Suite 3, Box #291 | Southport, NC 28461
Unless stated otherwise, all of the content, text, graphics, service marks, trademarks and trade dress set forth in this newsletter are the property of American Pyrotechnics Association Safety & Education Foundation and may not be used in connection with any product or service, or for any other purpose, without the express prior written consent of the American Pyrotechnics Association. Such property of American Pyrotechnics Association Safety & Education Foundation is protected by copyright laws, trademark laws, unfair competition laws and other intellectual property laws.
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