Jane Spellman, a senior member of Girl Scout Troop 1553 in Tempe, has earned a Gold Award for her community service project that collects American flags for honorable disposal in Ahwatukee. The award is the Girl Scouts of America’s highest honor.

Spellman, a Tempe resident and student at Corona del Sol High School, achieved the top Scouting award in July. Her Gold Award project repurposed two out-of-commission newspaper vending machines, donated by The Arizona Republic, as community drop boxes for worn flags. Members of the Ahwatukee American Legion chapter routinely pick up and properly retire deposited flags.

More: Tempe Girl Scout’s project creates a place to honorably retire American flags

Pete Meier, commander of the Ahwatukee American Legion Post 64, said flag donations have increased over the last couple of months.

“We’ve had to empty out the boxes several times,” Meier said. “People are using them. She did a good thing.”

The flag drop-off boxes are located in the parking lot of the Ahwatukee Recreation Center, 5001 E. Cheyenne Drive, Phoenix, 85044.

Reach the reporter at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @ebonydayAZ. 

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