Tops Friendly Markets is hosting a Stars for Our Troops initiative running from May 10 through Flag Day, June 14, 2026. The program welcomes the community to donate their 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 our 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.”
“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,” said Kathy Sautter, director for corporate communications and public relations for Tops. 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 of which customers had tucked away in their attics and garages for decades, and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to properly retire their flag.
The following Tops Friendly Markets locations will have collection bins in their vestibules for American Flag Retirement:
- 98 South Avenue, Hilton
- 27 Slayton Avenue, Spencerport
- 2345 Buffalo Road, Rochester
- 3507 Mt. Read Boulevard, Greece
- 1215 Jefferson Road, Henrietta
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