Banners Hung to Celebrate Sharon's Diversity

This year the Lions Clubs International and the International Rotary Foundation both reach their centennial milestone. Challenged with giving a “gift” to the town in commemoration of 100 years, these two clubs have joined together to celebrate the diversity of Sharon. Soon, new pole banners representing over 88 cultures of the residents of our special town will be hoisted.

Beginning this week and continuing until complete, our friends at the DPW will hang the banners on the lampposts from the railroad bridge to the center of town, onto North and South Main Streets, Billings and Pond Streets. The banners will be hung from April through October for all to enjoy. If you don't find a banner representing your heritage, you have not been forgotten! The "All are welcome here" banners are there to cover any and all cultures not shown on individual banners.

The Sharon Lions Club and the Rotary Club of Sharon truly hope you enjoy our gift to you. We are so thankful for the support of the Town of Sharon’s Board of Selectman, the town and school administrators and a special thank you to our major sponsors who made this possible: Herb Chambers Lexus, Sharon Credit Union, Dedham Savings Bank, Eastern Bank, The Kinraide Family Foundation, Republic Services and Staples.

And mark your calendars now for A Taste of Sharon’s Diversity, an event to be held at the high school on Sunday, May 21 from 4:00-8:00 PM. Local restaurants will offer a taste of foods from around the world while guests enjoy some international music. Spend the afternoon enjoying multi-cultural music and dance performances, a glorious display of full-sized flags, a cultural arts fair by the high school’s foreign language students, the Sharon Pluralism Network’s photo exhibit entitled Sharon’s Many Traditions, and take a chance on a raffle of baskets full of ethnic foods and products. This is sure to be a celebration of Sharon’s diversity to be enjoyed by all ages.

For questions or to get involved or to learn more about how you might donate a basket for the raffle, please contact co-chairs Eileen Cohen at erc1@comcast.net or Dave Clifton at diclifton@comcast.net.

If you would like to be a supporting patron of this wonderful celebration, please send your tax-deductible donation to Sharon Celebrates Diversity, P.O. Box 114, Sharon, MA 02067. Checks should be made payable to The Rotary Club of Sharon Charitable Fund with a memo noting “Sharon Celebrates Diversity”. Any amount will be most appreciated. Donations received by April 21, 2017, may be included in the list of supporters in the program handed out on May 21. Let us know if you wish to be included.

Stay up to date with all that is happening by visiting and liking us on Facebook @SharonMA.Lions.Rotary and stay tuned to Sharon Community TV for updates on the diversity celebration.