Facing tough economic times, the City of Gig Harbor is asking its residents to help replace about 50 U.S. flags throughout the city.
The city is pinching pennies and needs flag donations or the current flags won’t be replaced, city Marketing Director Laureen Lund said.
Many of the current flags are faded and tattered.
“It wasn’t something that we budgeted, but we do realize there is a need there,” Lund said. “There would be a lot of citizens who would be willing to make an individual donation.”
Lund says new flags cost about $20 each and can be purchased at many local businesses, including Costco, Home Depot, ACE Hardware and Target.
Gig Harbor Mayor Hunter said he’s personally replaced two flags per request of former Mayor Gretchen Wilbert.
Hunter also said the city will hand over old flags to ACE Hardware, which will donate the flags to groups like the Boy Scouts for proper retirement.
Hunter said Gig Harbor residents have done a great job volunteering in the past, citing the Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association for funding and maintaining the hanging flowers throughout the city.
“I think it gets citizens involved — a chance for people to get involved,” he said.
Hunter added that the city’s action is a response to a letter published in The Peninsula Gateway last week from a Gig Harbor resident concerning the “sad state” of the flags in the city.
“The jeer came and everyone started saying, ‘Let’s do something,’ ” Hunter said.
The city hopes to have the flags replaced in time for the Fourth of July weekend, Lund said.
Replacing the entire fleet of flags is the goal, but the city will only replace the number of flags donated. Replacement flags should be polyester, have grommets and be 3 feet by 5 feet.
The city also will accept cash donations.
Flags can be dropped off at the Gig Harbor Visitor Information center at 3125 Judson St. The center is open every day but Tuesday.
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