(Snellville, Ga., Aug. 23, 2017) – Centerville OneStop Community Center and Eagle Scout Ayden Abercrombie recently collaborated to produce drop boxes to honorably retire U.S. flags at three OneStop centers in Gwinnett County.

Centerville OneStop Community Center served as a partner and benefactor after Abercrombie approached them with his idea to fulfill a community need. Center Operations Manager Vivian Gaither said they felt honored to work with Abercrombie.

“This young man approached us with such a desire and excitement to honor the flag and serve his community,” Gaither said. “Thanks to his hard work, we can offer a unique service to Gwinnett County residents for years to come.”

Abercrombie, 15, joined Boy Scouts of America Troop 548 in 2013. He has performed numerous flag ceremonies and taught flag etiquette classes. Over the years, he realized many people did not know what to do with their weathered and tattered flags or how to properly retire them. Abercrombie used his Eagle Project, a service project required to achieve Eagle Scout rank, to fill this community need.

To complete his project, Abercrombie went through a multifaceted and arduous process. He prepared and submitted a proposal, interviewed and consulted Boy Scout leaders, developed resources, and recruited volunteers. His project required 16 volunteers and 224 hours to complete over the course of two months. Abercrombie will collect the flags from the four drop boxes as needed and continue to mentor other Boy Scout troops and adults through flag etiquette and disposal classes.

The flags collected in the drop boxes will be retired in a solemn ceremony. According to the U.S. Flag Code, old and tattered flags shouldn’t be thrown away; they should be destroyed, or “retired,” in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

The drop boxes are located at Buford OneStop Human Services Center, 2755 Sawnee Ave., Buford; Centerville OneStop Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville; Lawrenceville Senior Center, 225 Benson St., Lawrenceville; and Norcross OneStop Human Services Center, 5030 Georgia Belle Court, Norcross.

Gwinnett County Health and Human Services collaborates with community partners to provide quality facilities and services to help improve Gwinnett County citizens’ health and well-being. Gwinnett County Health and Human Services facilities include three OneStop centers with providers and services ranging from health, mental health, early childhood education and vehicle tag registration to room rentals to entertaining activities/events, and four senior centers with services ranging from care management and in-home services to transportation and senior-inspired activities/events.

For more information about Gwinnett County Health and Human Services, visit www.gwinnetthumanservices.com.