How 2021 robbery of its fireworks stand still has Modesto nonprofit group struggling

A robbery of its fireworks stand two years ago cost a Modesto nonprofit organization not only cash, inventory and more that day, but has left it without a major source of fundraising. Making matters worse, Relief, Inc., also is embroiled in a dispute with its fireworks supplier.

Phebe Dennis-Fortt, founder of Relief, Inc., arrived at her fireworks booth around 9 a.m. July 3, 2021, to set up for the day.

There, at the corner of Prescott Road and Plaza Parkway, a man and woman pulled up in a van, wanting to know what time the booth would open. Dennis-Fortt answered and then returned to unloading the equipment needed for the day, when she was jumped from behind.

“I fought and flipped over where I’m laying on my back and now facing this person. But this person was hooded and they were masked, but I know it was a man.” Dennis-Fortt said. “And he just kept on fighting me. I couldn’t scream, I couldn’t do anything.”

Next thing she knew, the man grabbed her keys and stole her vehicle, with the fireworks trailer attached. The woman behind the wheel of the van also drove away.

An estimated $50,000 worth of Phantom products were taken, along with Dennis-Fortt’s personal effects, including laptops and iPads.

Want to support particular nonprofits’ fireworks sales? Here’s where booths are in Modesto

“Nothing was recovered, all of our personal property was gone.” Dennis-Fortt said during an interview late last month. “That morning, we had $5,000 in the booth that one of the volunteers was supposed to take to the bank. It never got to the bank.”

Dennis-Fortt suffered a fractured wrist and mental anguish, and has since completed a year of trauma classes to help her cope.

Currently, Phantom Fireworks is not doing business with Relief, Inc., because it demands payment for the stolen products, Dennis-Fortt said. Phantom provided the nonprofit with liability insurance, but it covered only the cost of the booth, not the fireworks themselves, she said.

Asked by The Bee about the incident and the situation with Relief, Inc., Phantom Fireworks responded, “We cannot comment on this situation as there is ongoing litigation with this nonprofit.” Dennis-Fortt said a lawsuit has been threatened but not filed.

Modesto Police Department investigators never were able to develop any suspect information, spokeswoman Sharon Bear told The Bee last week.

The stolen 2006 Lexus SUV, which bore Relief, Inc., decals, was recovered in Oakland, minus the trailer full of fireworks. The MPD assigned a detective to the case and worked with Dennis-Fortt, but the “case just went cold,” she said.

What Relief, Inc., does and how it’s funded

On its website, Relief, Inc., says it’s mission “is to improve the lives of people all over the world. We are currently working in Liberia, West Africa, and local communities in Northern California.” It operates on work done by Dennis-Fortt and volunteers.

Fundraisers, such as a crab feed, were held to support the nonprofit, but COVID-19 made things difficult, Dennis-Fortt said. And once people were allowed to meet in person again, the cost of putting together a crab feed was too high to deliver, she said.

One fundraiser the nonprofit could count on even during the pandemic was the fireworks booth.

“The fireworks became a major fundraiser for us,” Dennis-Fortt said. “Even though it was one week, we brought in enough money to keep us (afloat) for the whole year.”

However, this is the second year in a row that Relief, Inc., will be without a booth.

Where is Relief, Inc., now?

“We are just doing whatever we need to do” to continue its work, Dennis-Fortt said.

That includes applying for grants, partnering with Panera Bread to feed the community through bread distribution, as well as collaborating with Health Net of San Joaquin to give valentine baskets out to children in need.

Supplies are starting to run short but the nonprofit maintains efforts to do its part to help those who need assistance. While she strives to help others, Dennis-Fortt said her organization needs some help itself.

“We are needing help from a pro bono to look into our case and history with Phantom Fireworks to get some closure,” she said. “I want to thank my neighbors and friends for their support to Relief, Inc., during the carjacking and beyond.”

Dennis-Fortt is not unaccustomed to misfortune and tragedy: After members of her family were assassinated in Liberia, she founded Relief, Inc., in 2003 to assist the women and children left behind after a 14-year-long civil war.

“Our focus is to help them become self-sustainable,” Dennis-Fortt said. “We started working in a Liberian community ... as well as collaborating with other nonprofits to get work done here (in Modesto).”

For more information about Relief, Inc., and its founder, visit www.reliefinc.org, email pfortt@reliefinc.org, or call 209-545-1700.