Hoist the flag: Englewood group adding lamp posts for Old Glory

Memorial Day weekend customarily signals the unofficial start of summer and the conclusion of the academic year. As students, teachers and administrators cast an eye toward the rewards of summer vacation, plans are already taking shape to ring in the 2008-09 school year and celebrate the expansion of the Independence School District, which will include portions of the city’s first and fourth districts as well as Sugar Creek.

Demonstrating what a determined and organized neighborhood group can accomplish, the Englewood Business Association has developed and begun executing an ambitious community pride project to honor the collaborative effort that brought about the positive November vote to redefine the Independence School District boundaries. For many years the business association has partnered with neighborhood groups and individuals to fly American flags in the Englewood shopping district and surrounding neighborhoods each June 14, Flag Day, in a display of national loyalty and reverence to Old Glory.

Through a dedicated, cooperative effort and meticulous planning, the group will expand the project this year to include the purchase of durable hardware for 73 decorative lampposts along the two-mile stretch of Winner/Lexington Road from Truman Road to Crysler Avenue. The installation of these brackets will provide a long-lasting mechanism for flags to be displayed each year in honor of Flag Day and other events. The “Flags on Winner Project” also includes plans to display banners later this summer signifying the neighborhood’s support of the Independence School District.

The Winner Road group, with a pledged $10,000 matching gift from the City Council and the generous contributed services of Manneco Inc., is offering residents the opportunity to assist with the project by sponsoring a flag. The cost is $100 per flag, and sponsors may dedicate their donation in honor of a special person or event. Sponsors are encouraged to supply a brief, written description of the person or event they wish to commemorate and a photo, which will be displayed at the Englewood COPS Station. Dedication forms are available at Changing Seasons Gift Gallery and Flowers and are due with payment by June 7.

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The community will have an opportunity to take part in the historic school district boundary change during the dog days of July by participating in the Independence School Districts Extreme School Makeover. Assuming responsibility for additional facilities as part of the annexation vote, district officials are reaching out to their patrons to assist with a two-day clean-up project tentatively scheduled for Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27.

Endorsing the adage that many hands make light work, an organized effort is in place to recruit volunteers to complete repair and cleaning tasks and ready schools for fall enrollment. Individuals trained and skilled in construction, mechanical trades, and maintenance and those with access to special tools or donated materials are a particular need, but any volunteers willing to put in a few hours of elbow grease are encouraged to assist with this community-building project. Families can take advantage of free child care provided at Procter Elementary School for children aged 3-12.

To organize a group of volunteers from your place of business, neighborhood, church or service club, or to offer your personal services, call the Extreme School Makeover Hotline at (816) 521-5502 for an application or e-mail extremeinfo@indep.k12.us.mo.