GODFREY - The Alton Area Optimist Club once again displayed 100 flags for Veterans Day.
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On Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, club members were up early to display the flags in Glazebrook Park in Godfrey. The club showcases the flags five times a year — Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day — and always looks forward to sharing unity and patriotism with the community.
“It’s just a win-win for everyone,” said Craig Rathgeb with the Optimist Club. “The community gets money. The kids in the community get resources. They get to take some pride in their community. It’s really great.”
Rathgeb explained that the club started fundraising for the flag display in Fall 2020. They wanted to “show our support for the community” amid the “bad news” and anxiety of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Five years later, they are going strong. For $50, community members can subscribe and sponsor a flag. Supporters are encouraged to honor or memorialize loved ones or organizations through their sponsorship.
The Optimist Club then displays the flags five times a year. The money raised goes toward a local initiative.
“All of the funds are returned back to the community,” Rathgeb said. “This year, and going forward, they will be used to buy all of the uniforms for the rookie sports in Godfrey. All of the rookie sports are supported by the flag display.”
This Veterans Day, the Alton Middle School competitive cheerleading squad joined the Optimist Club to put up the flags. The Optimist Club has previously supported the squad, and Rathgeb noted that they welcome more youth organizations to get involved in the future.
“That was really cool,” he said. “We intend to continue this effort. Going forward, we’re looking for youth-based organizations to help us launch those flags and to come out and help put them up and show their support.”
For more information about the Alton Area Optimist Club, including how to get involved, how to sponsor a flag, or how to volunteer, visit their official website. The club meets at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at Johnson’s Corner; Rathgeb encourages anyone who is interested in joining to stop by their next meeting.
“The more people we have involved, the better, and more outreach we can do in our community,” he added.
