Marble Falls Kiwanis program keeps flags flying across town on patriotic holidays
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
MARBLE FALLS — While every day is a great opportunity to fly the U.S. flag, the Kiwanis Club of Marble Falls offers local businesses and individuals a chance to show their patriotic colors as well as help area youth pay for college.
“We have more than 200 businesses and even individuals participating in the program, but we’d always welcome more,” said John McGrew, the flag program chairman. “We currently have five routes that we run in the Marble Falls and Horseshoe Bay area.”
The program provides an American flag, a pole and a ground mount for businesses or individuals. On seven specific holidays, including the upcoming Flag Day on June 14, the local Kiwanis members set the flags out in the morning and then collect them at the end of the day.
McGrew said the service is $45 a year for the initial signup, but renewals typically are $35.
“We maintain and store the flags,” he said. “And we repair or replace them as needed.”
The money from the program goes to the Kiwanis of Marble Falls scholarship program. Contributions are tax-deductible.
“We have been doing this for some time,” McGrew said. “The club was doing this before I joined. And it’s really become a good program for the community.”
The American flags lining the roads create a truly patriotic setting.
The seven days the Kiwanis put the flags out are Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Patriot Day and Veterans Day.
The five routes are U.S. 281 North in Marble Falls; U.S. 281 South in Marble Falls; RR 1431 in Marble Falls; midtown Marble Falls; and Horseshoe Bay.
While the Kiwanis would love to add more routes, McGrew said the limiting factor is the number of volunteers. With crews of two or three taking care of each route, it stretches them a bit thin, so the club is also looking for new members to help with the program as well as the organization’s other activities.
Call McGrew at (830) 598-2415 for more information on the flag program or to participate. Go to www.marblefallskiwanis.org for more information on the club. The club meets noon Tuesdays at the River City Grille, 700 First St. in Marble Falls.
daniel@thepicayune.com