Caring Causes - Wreaths Across America MN Event (12/16)

Volunteers across the state of Minnesota are working in support of national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) as preparations are made for National Wreaths Across America Day – this year on Saturday, December 16, 2023.

 

Currently, 21 separate cemetery locations in Minnesota will take part in this national event that endeavors to honor every interred American veteran with a live balsam veteran’s wreath. Local sponsorship groups registered through the national program, currently, there are 37 in the state, are helping to raise the necessary sponsorships to honor all service members laid to rest in all these participating locations. Through the effort, local volunteer groups and individuals give back to their communities and help to share the year-round mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom.

Since its founding in 2007, WAA has partnered with thousands of local nonprofits and civic groups, including Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), helping living veterans and their families to raise awareness and wreath sponsorships nationwide. Through WAA’s Pay-Back Sponsorship Group program, registered sponsorship groups can earn $5 for every $17 veteran’s wreath sponsored to support these programs in their communities. Other groups sign up as a 3-for-2, where a third wreath is placed for every two sponsored, ensuring as many wreaths as possible are placed. Each registered WAA sponsorship group also has a secure landing page where wreaths can be sponsored directly.

To find a participating location or registered WAA group to support in Minnesota, please visit https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/About/LocationAndGroupSearch and use the Search function to look up your area. A good rule of thumb, when sponsoring a wreath online, always ensure the website includes the WAA URL: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/ in the link. Checks should always be made out to Wreaths Across America directly.

“It would be disingenuous for us as an organization whose mission is to Remember, Honor, and Teach, if we do not support other like-minded programs serving their communities,” said WAA Executive Director Karen Worcester. “Our Group Sponsorship Program is a year-round effort, and our national office provides the tools so you can be confident that you are supporting a local program giving back in your community.”  

By making a $17 sponsorship, you are not only participating in a cherished tradition of placing a veteran’s wreath at the site of interred Minnesota service members at participating cemeteries across the state and having their names said aloud so they are never forgotten, but you are also contributing to vital programs that make a meaningful difference in the lives of veterans and their families throughout the year. Some of WAA’s free, year-round programs include:

• TEACH Program with downloadable lesson plans and service-based learning for youth of all ages.
• The Mobile Education Exhibit travels the country, visiting schools and communities, teaching the value of our freedom while acting as an official welcome home center for living Vietnam veterans.
• Wreaths Across America Radio gives voice to volunteers and service members so that you can hear their stories of courage and inspiration.
• The Wreaths Across America National Museum is free and open to the public. It highlights the bravery and service of rank-and-file veterans.
• The WAA Hospitality House is a free bed and breakfast for Gold Star Families to stay and vacation in Maine.
• The Remembrance Tree Program creates a living memorial of service members giving back to other service members.

 

To sponsor a veteran’s wreath and honor an interred American hero on Wreaths Across America Day on December 16, 2023, or to learn more about Wreaths Across America and its year-long mission to Remember, Honor, Teach, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

 

As Veterans Day and Wreaths Across America Day approach, listen to stories of inspiration and experience from volunteers and service members on Wreaths Across America Radio. Tune in anytime and anywhere on the iHeart Radio app, Audacy app, or TuneIn. 

 

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About Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery began in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington and thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. 

For more information or to sponsor a wreath, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.