The Kiwanis Club of Great Bend has been serving the Great Bend community for many years and is a part of Kiwanis International, a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. 

Now, local Kiwanians told the City Council Monday night, the club wants to help the community show its patriotism through its new U.S. Flag Project. “Proudly display the United States Flag at your home or business and show your support for your country, community and honor those who serve our country,” said Will Rains, veteran and club member.

On five patriotic holidays, the Kiwanis Club of Great Bend will supply and place a three-by-five-foot flag and pole at one’s home, business location or public green space for a $40 donation. Club members will place flags with seven-foot poles at sunrise and retire them at sunset the same day. 

The five United States Holidays include: Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, Flag Day and Labor Day.

The club will install a PVC pipe in the ground at participating locations which will remain year round. It will be buried one foot deep and be flush with the yard’s surface so it won’t interfere with mowing or other yard work.

“This is our first announcement of this,” Rains said. They still have a few details to work out, but hope to be ready by Memorial Day.

They will offer sign-ups during the club’s annual pancake feed March 5, as well as at other venues. The goal is to have 200 flags flying in this inaugural year.

“This makes a wonderful gift for veterans, service members, or anyone who loves our flag,” Rains said.

The U.S. Flag project will be a yearly project. Once one signs up, they will receive an annual billing. At which time you can renew your contract with the club for another year.

Promoted at the national level by the Kiwanis organization, clubs in Hays, Goodland, Olathe, Hiawatha and other Kansas cities also offer the program. 

The club’s address is: Kiwanis Club of Great Bend, P.O. Box 414 Great Bend, KS 67530.