T-shirts help flags fly high

Editor's note: Joseph Jones is a Register correspondent representing vermiliondaily.com. VERMILION — Cliff German, a member of the Flags on Liberty committee, recently shared his gratitude for the efforts of Jacqui Adkins, owner of Main Street Threads. Through her shop's fundraiser, more than 100 Flags on Liberty T-shirts were sold, raising about $550 to help maintain downtown Vermilion's flag display. The funds will be used to purchase equipment and additional flags, continuing a project that was long supported by the late Paul Habermehl, who passed away in August. Flags on Liberty, a local nonprofit and comprised of volunteers, dedicates itself to displaying and maintaining American flags along Liberty Avenue (U.S. 6) as a show of community pride and patriotism. Main Street Threads, 666 Main St., Vermilion, is open six days a week. Shirts remain available online, at mainstreetthreads.shop, for those who want to support Flags on Liberty and Vermilion's tradition of honoring the flag downtown. Q&A To better understand the effort, Adkins answered a few questions about the fundraiser and what it meant to her: Q: What inspired you to create the Flags on Liberty T-shirts? JA: I first saw a post on social media about how many flags needed to be replaced each year and how a recent storm had damaged even more. That really stuck with me. I knew right away that I wanted to help offset some of the costs and contribute in a meaningful way. I often create (shirts) for fundraising efforts, but this time I wanted to start something a little bigger — a tradition per se. My goal is to design a new (shirt) each summer to benefit different volunteer organizations in our community. Flags on Liberty was the first group we were lucky enough to support. What makes this different is that, instead of a limited run, we kept the shirts stocked in-store all summer. That gave it more visibility and allowed more people to support the cause. It created a sense of shared community pride that I'm really proud of. Q: How did the fundraiser come together — did you approach the committee, or did they approach you? JA: I reached out to Paul and Cliff with the idea and sent over a few mock-ups of the shirt design. They were so kind and supportive from the start. They were just genuinely grateful and excited. It was really special to collaborate with people who care so deeply about Vermilion. Q: Were you surprised by the community's response? JA: Absolutely, and not just by the number of shirts sold but by who was buying them. Our locals showed up in such a big way, but what really moved me was seeing so many tourists eager to support something meaningful while visiting Vermilion. It was such a powerful reminder of how special our town is. Even more importantly, it gave us the chance to shine a light on the incredible volunteers who make a difference in our community every single day. Q: What was the most memorable part for you during this fundraiser? JA: I'll never forget the morning Paul stopped in. It was right after we put the shirts out on the floor. He had the biggest smile on his face and was so kind and appreciative. That moment will always stay with me. We were heartbroken when he passed. He was such a pillar of this project and this town. I know he's smiling down on us and everything this effort has become.