As America celebrates semiquincentennial, Tops hosts 'Stars for Our Troops' program

Tops Friendly Markets press release & photo

Tops Friendly Markets announced it will once again host a “Stars for Our Troops” initiative, running May 10 through June 14. The program welcomes the community to donate worn and tattered American flags at select Tops Markets locations for proper retirement.

In collaboration with partner veterans organizations, including Honor Flight and local VFWs, embroidered stars will be properly laundered through a partnership with Colvin Cleaners, preserved, and presented to local veterans who have defended the flag.

When stars are removed and presented to a veteran at local VA hospitals, nursing homes, and placed in Honor Flight care packages, the following message is tucked along with each star:

"I am part of our American flag that has flown over the USA. I can no longer fly. The sun and winds caused me to become tattered and torn. Please carry me as a reminder that you are not forgotten.”

Kathy Sautter, director for corporate communications and public relations for Tops, said, “The respect and gratitude we have for the people who serve and have served our country is immeasurable, and for that we are forever grateful. “With this being America’s semiquincentennial, we felt it was the perfect time to welcome this program back to the community as Americans may be refreshing the flags they display in front of their homes.”

When Tops last hosted the “Stars for Our Troops” collection in 2019, it collected over 3,000 flags for proper retirement – many flags customers had tucked away in their attics and garages for decades, and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to properly retire them.

Christopher Billoni, vice president of Colvin Cleaners, said, “We are happy and proud to play a small role in the ‘Stars for Our Troops’ program. America flags are always cleaned for free at Colvin Cleaners, but whenever we have a chance to do something for our veterans we always answer the call.”

The following Tops Friendly Markets locations (as well as the Tops corporate office and Tops warehouse) will have collection bins in their vestibules for American flag retirement:

• 5827 S. Transit Road, Lockport
• 3949 Lockport-Olcott Road
• 7200 Niagara Falls Blvd., Niagara Falls
• 2140 Grand Island Blvd., Grand Island
• 3980 Maple Road, Amherst
• 9660 Transit Road, Amherst
• 5274 Main St./Union Road, Williamsville
• 355 Orchard Park Road, West Seneca
• 800 Harlem Road, West Seneca
• 3201 Southwestern Blvd., Orchard Park
• 3865 Union Road, Cheektowaga
• 5175 Broadway, Depew
• 150 Niagara St., Tonawanda
• 2101 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
• 6150 S. Park Ave., Hamburg
• 390 W. Main St., Batavia
• 658 W. Main St., Arcade
• 3955 Vineyard Drive, Dunkirk
• 6914 Erie Road, Derby
• 11200 Maple Ridge Road, Medina
• 2401 W. State St., Olean

Tops is a longtime supporter of military associates and customers. The company’s actions include its annual discount for veterans on Veterans Day, support of the American Veterans Tribute Traveling Wall, Honor Flight missions, sending care packages for troops serving domestically and overseas, VA hospital visits, and participation in veteran job fairs, parades and expos.

Headquartered in Williamsville, Tops Markets operates a robust network of 152 grocery stores spanning New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont, including one franchise location in Lewiston. It is one of Western New York’s largest employers, with over 14,000 associates across its entire footprint. Discover more at www.topsmarkets.com.