Scouts collect unserviceable flags

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Cub Scout Pack 255 Wolf Den is moving right along with its project to retire unserviceable American flags.

Den leader Tiffany Waddell said about 20 flags have been collected so far.

“We’ve actually received quite a few flags,” Waddell said. “I have a 13-gallon trashbag full and a boxful.”

The Den of second and third graders will conduct a flag retirement ceremony at the Boy Scout Hut in Albany at a time to be announced. The public is encouraged to bring any flags that are old, torn, have holes, or are faded and need retiring to 432 South Third St. in Albany, where they will be collected until the ceremony.

Waddell said details for the ceremony are still being worked out, and that she hopes to make the project a continuous event.

“We’re going to collect flags throughout the year,” she said. “Even if people miss giving us flags now, they can still even after this ceremony. We’re hoping to have this as an ongoing community project with another ceremony in three or four months.”

Thanksgiving Baskets

The Den is also conducting its first Thanksgiving Celebration and Food Giveaway in an effort to make everyone’s holiday enjoyable, Waddell said.

In addition, Waddell said, the program is open to shut-ins who may experience loneliness and depression and lack of resources during this time of year.

“We decorated boxes Monday, and I need to make a little sign for them,” Waddell said. “So far, we have four families who have signed up.”

Applications for the Thanksgiving Baskets will be available to Shackelford County residents through Monday, Nov. 14 and can be picked up from Dora Leonard in Moran, Tiffany Waddell at 432 S. Third St. in Albany, or Nancy Smith Elementary School. Applications may be returned to any of those locations.

All applications will remain anonymous.

The Scouts will be taking donations for nonperishable items such as cranberry sauce, green beans, corn, and stuffing, as well as monetary donations to help cover the cost of turkeys and/or hams.

The Scouts will be decorating boxes to place around town to collect items, and they are planning to put them together before Thanksgiving week, when the baskets will be delivered.

For more information, to apply, or to make a donation, call or text Waddell at 325-260-7881 or email her at ansonwesternobserver@gmail.com.