Toronto Beautification Committee is seeking some support for flags
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TORONTO -- From flowers planted at the entrances to the city's north and south end to the gazebo on Third Street decorated for various occasions, volunteers in the Toronto Beautification Committee take pride in making Toronto look nice.
And part of that pride is an expression of citizens' love for their country, conveyed through the many U.S. flags displayed above city streets.
The group also is behind them, with help from residents and businesses who contribute funds to ensure they are in good condition.
Mary Beth Patterson, who coordinates the group's flag fund, said it's time again to seek donations for the cause.
She said with the help of George Komar, president of the Toronto Coalition for Revitalization, those who make a donation in memory or honor of a loved one will be acknowledged through a display at the Toronto Municipal Building and on the coalition's Facebook page.
Donations of $20 are requested and may be made payable to TBC and sent to Robertson at 905 North Third St., Toronto, OH 43964.
The flags are purchased from an American company in cooperation with U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Marietta.
Robertson said contributions have come from within and outside the city and have included a group of Marines visiting the city to honor Nathan Rock, a Toronto native who was killed in action while serving in Iraq in 2005.
While the display of U.S. flags is a time-honored Toronto tradition, the practice received a major boost under former Mayor Robert Wilson, with extra effort made to express residents' unity with other Americans following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.