If you would like to see a loved one from the Saucon Valley recognized for their military service on a banner displayed on a street in Hellertown, you now have the opportunity to help make that happen.
The purpose of the newly-launched Saucon Valley Hometown Hero Banner Program is to “honor and recognize Hellertown and Lower Saucon servicemen and women who are currently or have honorably served or given their lives to our country in the United States Armed Forces,” according to an announcement about it made by the borough last week.
In order to be eligible for a banner, a nominee must meet these requirements:
- He or she must have lived in the Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township (Saucon Valley) area at some point in their lifetime.
- He or she must have served in one of the following branches of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, National Guard or Coast Guard.
- The individual must be one of the following: currently serving in the Armed Forces, an honorably discharged veteran or someone who died in the line of duty.
To review the complete program guidelines, click here.
Each banner will measure 30 by 60 inches and be double-sided. The banners are made of a vinyl material and will display the service person’s name, rank, branch of service, era of service and photograph.
The Saucon Valley Hometown Hero Program banners will look similar in appearance to this sample banner.
The banners will be displayed on a limited number of utility poles along Water Street, Easton Road, Walnut Street and Cherry Lane annually for two years from Memorial Day through Veterans Day. They will then be available for pickup by donors at Hellertown Borough Hall. After two years, any unclaimed banners will become the property of the Borough of Hellertown.
Banner locations will be selected randomly and specific display locations cannot be requested. Banner purchases as surprises to living individuals are also not permitted.
A $190 donation is requested for each banner application that is submitted to the borough. The donation is to cover the cost of the banner’s production, installation and removal. For individuals or families for whom the cost may represent a financial hardship, there is a box on the application to check off to request special consideration.
For individuals or businesses who are simply interested in supporting the program, sponsorship opportunities are available. It is considered to be a sponsorship when a general donation is made to the program. Sponsors will be recognized on the borough’s website. For more information, see the Saucon Valley Hometown Hero Banner Program sponsorship form.
Since there are a limited number of locations available for the inaugural 2020 program, applications not processed for 2020 will be put on a waiting list for the 2021 Banner Program, the borough announced.
For questions or more information about the Saucon Valley Hometown Heroes Banner Program, please call the Hellertown borough office at 610-838-7041 or email c.hartranft@hellertownborough.
