Tellico Village resident Joel Reed is organizing the third annual “Flags For Old Glory” along with the Knights of Columbus at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Lenoir City.
“We would love to receive your subscription for this very patriotic fundraiser showing our love of God, country and Old Glory,” Reed said.
The program involves an annual subscription service that places an American flag on a 10-foot pole in the subscriber’s yard on five select holidays on which the flag is traditionally flown, including Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day.
“The goal is to expand flag subscriptions in Tellico Village to 205 participants by Jan. 31,” Reed said.
He said the main reasons to subscribe include patriotism, convenience and charity. Flying the flag shows love for country and respect for its symbols, he said.
The flags are provided by KOC and placed in the subscriber’s yard in a permanent but discreet mounting pipe on special holidays and removed for storage until the next holiday. The high quality flags will be repaired or replaced as necessary.
The subscription, which costs $45 per year, includes the flag, mounting pipe, mounting and removal. Money generated by the subscription is donated to several charities, including Catholic Charities Pregnancy Resource Center, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Good Samaritan Center of Loudon County and Coats for Kids.
“It’s a great cause,” he said.
Reed said he first began participating in a similar program sponsored by the Optimist Club in Ohio.
Last year, 157 homes in Tellico Village participated. He has three flags in his yard and said this year participants who put out three flags at a cost of $135 can receive a fourth flag for free.
Craig Richert, who lives on the same street as Reed, recently signed up for the program for the first time.
“It’s a great show of support,” Richert said. “We have so many things to be thankful for in our country.”
Richert said he was impressed with the display on his street.
“It looks wonderful to see all the flags lining the street,” he said.
Those who would like to participate can mail their check for $45 per flag to Knights of Columbus, 166 Inagehi Way, Loudon, TN 37772 no later than Jan. 31. For more information, email Reed at joel64reed@gmail.com.
