Welcome to my GoFundMe page! My name is Matthew Amatulli, and I love the American flag, our Veterans and other kids with autism just like me! I am asking for donations to help fulfill my goal of repairing, or replacing, every torn or damaged  American Flag in South Florida,  as well as helping to support our nation’s Veterans and people with autism who are most in-need of assistance.  Your donations have helped me get a new sewing machine which  makes the repairs that I sew even stronger.  I will continue to conduct local  flag and flagpole repairs, and I need ongoing funding to be able to do this.  ( I have been doing this for many years out of my own pocket) I use all of my holiday and birthday money to buy flags that I usually hang on local businesses poles, when the business either refuses or can’t put up a flag.  I need donations of brand new flags in multiple sizes.  I also accept donations of lightly used flags for me to fix, I personally sew them and get so excited to watch them on the pole flying again!   Monetary donations are the best, as I can buy what I need, when I need it.  Flagpole parts such as rotating trucks, finials, rope, pulleys, clips, etc are always needed and vary in size depending on the flagpole and flag size.  They are very expensive! I also need to trim and cut trees that are close to the flagpoles, to prevent the trees branches from ruining the flag.   This is why I  need local companies to donate their bucket truck services for me on an as needed,  or monthly basis.  A perfect company to donate these services would be a lawn and tree service, since they already do this, and usually have Bucket Trucks. However,  I will definitely accept help from ANY company willing to help.  Often times, you will see a pole with no flag on it and upon further inspection, you usually see that there is no rope.  Sometimes the hardware at the top is broken, or missing and this requires access to the top of the flagpole.  Some flagpoles poles can be climbed  to do the repairs, but this is very dangerous ( I have climbed a 25 foot pole )   My parents don’t want me to do that anymore so I need the use of a bucket truck. I would LOVE TO OWN MY OWN BUCKET TRUCK SOMEDAY!   I’m going to be creating my own flags to sell someday soon so keep checking my Facebook page MattsFlags.    At the same time, I wish to provide education to the public about autism.  What autism is, and how to help children and adults that have autism be able to have the best life possible.  Little known fact ... Steve Jobs likely had Aspergers, which is Autism.  People with Autism can be the very best employees, as we are super loyal and dedicated to getting things done meticulously, especially if we can find a career that goes hand in hand w our special interests, whatever they may be.  Each of us are individuals and have many talents, some yet to be discovered.  Many people w Autism enjoy figuring out how things work and enjoy careers in the field of engineering, hospitality, taking care of animals etc.  We very often find comfort with water, animals. and things that blow ( such as the flag blowing motion calms me down.).   Animals love us unconditionally and can calm us down when the world may seem particularly hard to navigate. I have an emotional support animal, a dachshund dog. Her name is Skittles, and I almost lost her this past summer.  She was able to have a life saving surgery and requires ongoing medical care.  She is in some of my photos on my Facebook  page and I will be adding more all the time !  So please like and follow my page.  Also my Instagram @MattsFlags I respect those Veterans whose bravery defending our nation allows me to fly my flags today.  Please donate what you can, and, if you can’t, kindly keep our American flag, Veterans, Police. and Autism community in your heart.   Thank you, and God bless you all!   Sincerely, Matthew Amatulli  About Matthew Amatulli:    Matthew Amatulli is a 16-year-old Palm Beach County, FL student with autism. Ever since he was a little boy, he’s been fascinated by the American flag! Matthew’s grandmother taught him how to sew at an early age, and he’s been on a mission to repair and/or replace American flags all over Broward and Palm Beach Florida ever since. His dream is to expand his efforts throughout the state of Florida and beyond, because he believes every American should be able to fly a beautiful flag of their own!   He would also like to get HOA’s  and rental communities to allow their residents to have flagpoles in their yards and/or on their building.  A lot of them do not allow it at all. It is very sad fact.  He also loves our Veterans, who appreciate his love for our flag, as well as his friends with autism and community-at-large. Thank you !

Steve Brown

Caroline B Moore

Jennifer Van Gilst

ELAINE K FREDRICK

Elizabeth Mersand

Alex Koteles

lindsay reagan

Tawnya Sterlini

Vilma Aponte

Lee Parker

Kathy and David Celentano

Anonymous

Caroline Moore

Kathy Lee

Cynthia Pratt

Matthew's Flags

Matthew's Flags

Still $29,050 to go. Help us build momentum.