The Rotary Club of Frankfort is once again filling the downtown skyline with reminders of local pride and service. Beginning March 24, residents can sponsor banners honoring veterans, first responders, and community leaders as part of the club’s “Service Above Self” project, now entering its second year.
Honoring Local Service Members and Leaders
The banner program, which first decorated Frankfort’s streets last summer, will run again from Memorial Day through Veterans Day. Rotary organizers expect to display around 120 custom banners honoring those who have served the nation or community.
“This is the Rotary Club of Frankfort’s second year to do this project,” said incoming Rotary president Renee Hodson. “The idea is that we get to hang banners to honor service members of our community and first responders—people who we consider community leaders in their public service.”
Banners will be displayed downtown for six months, combining patriotic display with local recognition. The program is named for Rotary’s international motto, “Service Above Self.”
How to Order a Banner
Banner sales will open March 24 and continue through April 23 on a first-come, first-served basis. Order forms will be available throughout the community and online via the Rotary Club’s Facebook page.
“We really will want to drive toward electronic payment rather than check or cash payments,” Hodson said. “Those are a little harder to handle in this day and age. We also want a great picture of whoever is being honored, so we’ll help anyone get a high-quality photo scanned.”
Each banner costs $120, which covers the custom printing and display for the six-month period. Banners are replaced annually due to weather exposure.
Supporting Scholarships and Local Youth
Funds raised through the project support the club’s community programs, including the Karen Sutton Honorary Scholarship, which awards four $1,000 scholarships—one to each of Clinton County’s public high schools. Additional proceeds help fund Rotary-supported youth activities such as Rotary Youth Baseball and improvements at Camp Cullom.
Hodson said, “We are making an impact in the community because we want to raise funds to support and be contributors here.”
Strong City Partnership
The project’s success also depends on support from city officials and workers. The Frankfort Street Department assists with installing and maintaining the banners each year.
“The mayor and Kimberly Black are so supportive,” Hodson said. “The street department employees and the superintendent are enthusiastic and putting in a lot of effort. It’s so rewarding to see that something that takes extra work for them is so meaningful.”
