Optimists gear up for Avenue of Flags
Avenue of Flags (photo submitted)
Oskaloosa Optimists are gearing up for their annual Avenue of Flags project. The project, in its second year, allows residents to have an American flag placed in their yards on five holidays per year.
“We had a very successful debut season last year,” said project coordinator R.D. Keep. “We placed 63 flags at homes around the city and have already had requests for nearly a dozen more this year.”
The 3-foot by 5-foot cloth flag hangs from a 10-foot aluminum standard. The standard is placed 17-inches below ground leaving about an inch above ground to allow mowing without hindrance.
“While this is a fundraiser for the club to support scholarship programs and other local initiatives, it is foremost a community service project for us,” said Keep. “We would like to have at least a hundred up this year.”
Memorial Day will be the first holiday the flags will be placed in 2013. Flag Day, July Fourth, Labor Day and Veteran’s Day are the other holidays. Flags are placed by Optimist members and are up from just after dawn until dusk.
Participants pay a $40 subscription fee and are billed annually. Forms are available on the Optimist Club Facebook Page or from Optimist members. For more information, contact Keep at 641-673-0123.
