Military tribute banners available

Alpha Delta Kappa Psi, Fostoria's chapter of the Alpha Delta Kappa international honorary organization for women educators, didn't know what to expect when it took on the Military Tribute Banners program as a fundraiser in 2020. The fact that ADK has carried on with it every year since, including 2023, speaks to its success. "We saw what other communities were doing and we just thought it was interesting," said Susan Lawless of the local ADK banner committee. "We had no idea whether it was going to be lucrative or not, or what the rewards would be. But it's far surpassed what we thought, all the way around." This year's banner sales began online in November, and orders will be taken through Jan. 31. Orders may be placed in-person with ADK members from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on Jan. 6 and Jan. 13, and from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Jan. 25 at Kaubisch Memorial Public Library. Lawless said approximately 200 banners, featuring the photos and names of veterans or active members of the U.S. armed forces, have been sold locally since the program started, resulting in proceeds numbering in "thousands" of dollars going to ADK's charitable efforts. "We do scholarships and all kinds of altruistic things," she said. "We buy food for families that need food. We buy clothing if they need it. Especially kids – we try to cater to what kids need, but often it's families, too." She said ADK has also made donations to such agencies as the library and the Sharing Kitchen and has provided toys for children at Christmastime. "Whenever a need comes up, we try to help with it," Lawless said. "Most of the money stays right here in Fostoria. There are some other altruistic things we do outside of our country, but we try to do our local things first." The banners measure 20-by-40 inches with a patriotic design and are generally hung on light poles throughout the city between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. A year's display per banner costs $150 for a year or $200 for two years. Banners may be rehung at the end of their original purchase for $50 per year or be returned to the buyers. "This year, we had 165 banners hanging up," Lawless said. "And we'll be giving back all of the banners from 20-21. That was the first year that we sold them and hung them. The edges are beginning to show what the sun and the wind have done to them, so those are going back. But we'll have some people replacing those banners and people buying their first banners." Lawless said purchasers seem to be excited about making the investment. "It makes people so happy to come and buy banners, and you see the pride they have for being able to honor or remember and friend or a family member who served in the military," she said. For more information or to sponsor a banner online, visit militarytributebanners.org. On the site, click on "banner programs" and locate "Fostoria, OH." Information is also available by calling 419-619-8182 or emailing to ADKps1mth@gmail.com. Orders by check may be made payable to Fostoria ADK/PSI and mailed to Susan Lawless, treasurer, 329 Summit St., Fostoria, OH 44830.