The Memorial Day weekend ushered in a new era for Melissa residents anxious to display their patriotism. Over 100 new American flags were placed throughout the Liberty subdivision and other local sites as a show of patriotic unity.
The Melissa Rotary canvassed Melissa and sold the flags to Melissa Residents as part of the 1st Annual Melissa Flag Lease program. For a $30 donation, a resident or business owner leases a flag that will be placed at their home or business on five holidays in 2010.
The Rotarians have partnered with Boy Scout Troop 413 as a fundraiser for both local non-profit agencies. The program is administered and managed by the Melissa Rotary.
“The Flag Lease program is a Rotarian tradition,” said J.J. Chapa, Melissa Rotary Member. “Chapters all over the country implement this unique program as a way to raise funds and display a sense of community and national pride.”
The Melissa Rotary received its charter in April 2010 and is in its infancy as a chapter. To date, the chapter has given out over $1,700 in cash gifts to families and groups that have requested or needed donations. The group plans to do much more and the Flag Lease Fundraiser will serve as the springboard.
“We had discussions early on if this Flag Lease Program was too ambitious for our first major fundraiser,” said Don Nicolini, Melissa Rotary member. “However, our group took the bull by the horns and made it happen.”
The Flag Lease program’s first year was limited to mostly Liberty Subdivision participation. Over the next couple of years, the program will expand to the rest of Melissa.
“We needed to start out with a small first step,” said Don Nicloini, Melissa Rotary Member.
Randy Kaiser, Don Nicolini and J.J. Chapa served as Flag Lease chairs for 2010. Albert Cervantes, Randy Kaiser, Danielle Aldridge and Julie Anderson paved the way for soliciting for the most donations. All Rotarians committed to sell two flags. The Boy Scouts went door to door to round out the sales.
“Our first attempt at sponsorships for our program lead to over 100 flags being installed for Memorial Day Weekend,” Nicolini said. “We actually ran out of flags.”
To find out more information about Melissa’s Flag Lease program, call J.J. Chapa at 972-254-2011 or visit www.MelissaRotary.com.
