American Flag Rescue Program Celebrates 31,000 Flags Rescued
Milestone recognizes volunteers, community partners and residents who help ensure American flags are treated with honor and respect
Key Points
- 31,000 flags rescued: Founded in 2019, the American Flag Rescue Program has reached a major milestone through the dedication of volunteers, community partners and residents.
- Community partnership recognized: A framed, rescued 48-star flag was presented to the Tax Collector’s St. Augustine annex in appreciation of its support. All four Tax Collector offices host collection boxes.
- Residents can participate: More than 40 collection locations throughout St. Johns County offer a respectful way to retire American flags. Find locations at www.sjcfl.us/outreach.
St. Johns County’s American Flag Rescue Program has reached a milestone of 31,000 American flags rescued since its founding in 2019. Volunteers Viki and Mike Cofone collected the milestone flag in September from a collection box at the St. Johns County Tax Collector’s Office in St. Augustine.
To commemorate the achievement and recognize Tax Collector Jennifer Ravan and her staff for their continued support, a framed, rescued 48-star American flag was presented to the St. Augustine annex for public display. The Tax Collector’s Office hosts American Flag Rescue collection boxes at all four of its St. Johns County locations, providing convenient opportunities for residents to participate.
“This milestone reflects the care our residents have for the American flag and the commitment of the volunteers and community partners who make this program possible,” said Chris Benjamin, the program’s founder and a member of the St. Johns County Solid Waste Division. “Every flag collected is an opportunity to ensure it is treated with honor and respect.”
Benjamin founded the American Flag Rescue Program in 2019 to give residents a respectful way to retire American flags. Today, the program offers collection boxes at more than 40 locations throughout St. Johns County, including government offices, libraries, local businesses and community organizations.
Volunteers help sustain the program by collecting flags from participating locations. The work of volunteers such as the Cofones, along with support from collection site hosts and residents, has helped the program reach this milestone.
Residents can drop off flags at the following St. Johns County Tax Collector offices:
- Main Office: 4030 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine
- St. Johns Office: 725 Flora Branch Road, St. Johns
- Southeast Office: 6670 U.S. 1 South, St. Augustine
- Ponte Vedra Beach Office: 151 Sawgrass Corners Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach
The American Flag Rescue Program supports the St. Johns County Strategic Plan’s Community Trust priority by encouraging volunteer service and resident participation in County programs. Through partnerships with government offices, local businesses and community organizations, the program gives residents convenient opportunities to help ensure American flags are treated with honor and respect.
For more information and a complete list of collection locations, visit www.sjcfl.us/outreach. Questions may be directed to the St. Johns County Solid Waste Division at solidwaste@sjcfl.us or 904-827-6980.
Every day is Flag Day in St. Johns County!
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