MASON CITY – RSVP of North Central Iowa is inviting all area residents to participate in a flag-folding project on Friday, Sept. 9, in memory of the nearly 3,000 people who died in the terrorist attacks on America on Sept. 11, 2001, and to honor the military personnel serving their country in the wake of this tragedy.
“We wanted to sponsor a community-wide event in observance of that terrible day in our nation’s history and to thank the men and women who are defending our freedom,” said Molly Anderegg, Director of RSVP of North Central Iowa. “It’s important that we never forget 9/11 and that we do something positive in honor of those who lost their lives.”
The flag-folding project is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mason City Public Library in the Mason City Room. Volunteers will be asked to help fold 300 pocket-size flags that will be sent to soldiers serving on the front lines of conflicts overseas. Each flag will be folded and packaged with a note card that says:
“A flag for your pocket so you can always carry a little piece of home. We are praying for you and we are proud of you. Thank you for defending our country and our freedom.”
Those participating in the project are also welcome to write a short note on the back of the card.
“RSVP is a volunteer program for people who are 55 and older, however, we welcome anyone to stop by the library and fold flags,” said Anderegg. “This event is open to everyone: seniors, veterans, parents and children – anyone who wants to say thank you to members of the military and honor this great country.”
Once folded and packaged, the flags will be sent to Pocket Flag Project, which will forward them on to men and women serving on the front lines. Pocket Flag Project is a not-for-profit group based in Colorado. Their goal is to get as many flags as possible into the pockets of service men and women.
The Pocket Flag Project was conceived in October 2001 after several Boy Scout leaders who are veterans of Vietnam and the Gulf War talked about carrying small, folded flags in their shirt pockets while in the service. The men related how important the flags were to them and a group of Cub Scouts decided to provide pocket flags to members of the military from their area. They folded and packaged 100 flags and the project has since mushroomed into an international effort. As of June 2011, flags have been distributed to groups who have packaged more than 1.7 million flags for troops serving overseas.
All those interested in participating should come to the Mason City Room of the Mason City Public Library at 10 a.m. Friday. For information, contact Anderegg at the RSVP office at 641-422-4303.
For more information on RSVP of North Central Iowa, visit www.niacc.edu/rsvp/ or contact 1-888-466-4222 ext. 4256, (641) 422-4256 or rsvp@niacc.edu. RSVP of North Central Iowa serves the counties of Cerro Gordo, Hancock, Winnebago and Worth responding to priority community needs by providing meaningful, purposeful volunteer opportunities for people ages 55 and over.
RSVP is sponsored by North Iowa Area Community College and is partly funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, State of Iowa, United Way of North Central Iowa and local county governments.
