3-27-2024 2:16pm

The Meaning, Its Purpose And How To Participate In Lebanon's... "Avenue Of Flags."

Beth Callahan Editor

Contributed Photo from Lebanon Optimist Club

LEBANON, OH -- Have you ever driven down a street that is lined with flags one day, and then, a few day's later, the flags are gone? Then, a few weeks later, it happens again.

Once this happens two or three more times, it's only normal for one or two, if not all five, of "The 5-W's" to begin whirling through your brain...

Who did this?
What's this about?
When did this happen?
Where are they coming from?
Why is this happening?
Along with the "W's" outcast, how is this happening?

After sitting down with Lebanon Optimist President Cathy Feinauer, Secretary Treasurer Ann Smith, and Avenue of Flags Coordinator Scott Webb at LCNB in Lebanon, all these questions were answered.

While "Avenue of Flags" is done nationally, there isn't a national "Avenue of Flags" organization. It seems that the "Avenue of Flags" concept is a program that is created and ran by local community organizations.

"We are just one of many Optimist Clubs in Ohio who do this," Smith, who is one of the founding members of the Lebanon Optimist Club, said, while explaining why the club sponsors this program.

Fulfilling part of the Optimist Club's purpose, the program has been developed to be used as a fund raiser to aid and encourage the development of youth, while promoting patriotism in the community that shows active interest in good government and civic affairs.

"This isn't just a fund raiser for us... it is a way for the youth clubs to make money, too," added Feinauer, who noted that over the almost 30-years the Lebanon Optimist Club has been established, over $800,000 have been given to youth organizations in the Lebanon and Warren County area. "The money we raise stays here...in our community to help our youth."

"We have 14 community groups that help place the flags and take them down... and depending on the route, they make between $800 to $1,100 each year," added Webb.

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?

For $50, the Optimist will place a 3' x 5' high-quality American flag in front of your City of Lebanon or Turtlecreek Township home or business on each of five national holidays or flag weekends.

Memorial Day
Flag Day (6/14)
July 4th
Labor Day
Veteran's Day

And, not only will they place the American Flag in your yard during these holidays, they will take it down and store it.

"Optimist Clubs are not the only organizations to do this. In some areas it's the Rotary Club or the Lions Club. In Waynesville, its the Boy Scouts," Smith explained.

Webb explained that since the different clubs have their own territories, they do work together."We will send a flag to Springboro Optimist or Waynesville, if the flag subscriber is in their area."

QUICK HISTORY...

In 2012, member Eric Sotzing started the Avenue of Flags with 24 locations. By 2014 the program grew by 800% with 194 flag locations.

"Today, we have 760 flag locations," Webb said, adding that they would love to add many more flags to that number along with more youth clubs to help.

For more information visit the Lebanon Optimist Club website by clicking here. (If you do not live in the Lebanon and Turtlecreek Township areas, they will try to help you connect to a group that might serve your area.)