- LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
- Posted On
Wreaths Across America planned for Dec. 16; organizers seek sponsors
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The organizers of Lake County’s annual Wreaths Across America commemoration are preparing for the December event and also seeking sponsorships from individuals and community groups.
This year’s ceremonies take place at 8:50 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at participating Lake County cemeteries as will take place across the country.
The event this year will focus on the celebration of differences and the effort to build bridges.
Each December, Americans from all walks of life join together, in thanks on National Wreaths Across America Day to “Remember, Honor and Teach.”
In 2016, 1.2 million veteran wreaths were placed on headstones at more than 1,230 cemeteries around the country in honor of the service and sacrifices made for our freedoms, with each name said aloud.
“I’m an American. Yes, I am!” is National Wreaths Across America Day Theme for 2017.
The inspiration for the 2017 theme is a song by Maine’s own singer/songwriter Rick Charette who wrote it in 2002 to help children appreciate the sacrifices women and men have made in protecting the American freedoms that we all enjoy.
The inspiration for the song came from his own personal feelings on what it means to be American. The song, which entwines patriotism and acceptance of differences together, became a favorite of the 2016 Wreaths Across America escort which included many American Gold Star Mothers, Blue Star families, veterans and volunteers.
This will be Lake County’s 11th year participating in the Wreaths Across America program.
In its first year, seven ceremonial wreaths were placed for the seven divisions of the military during a ceremony at Hartley Cemetery in Lakeport.
Since that first year ceremonies are being held at five locations including Hartley, Kelseyville, Upper Lake, Lower Lake and St. Mary’s.
Youth organizations are reaching out for sponsorships to place as many wreaths as possible on veterans’ gravesites and anyone is invited to participate.
Boy Scout Troop 42 in Lakeport, youth organizations in Kelseyville, the Lake County 4-H Group and FFA will be accepting donations for wreaths until Nov. 27 at noon.
Individual sponsorships cost $15 for one wreath and the family option costs $60 for four wreaths, small businesses can fund 10 wreaths for $150 and corporations can sponsor 100 or more wreaths for $1,500 or any amount can be sponsored for $15 per wreath.
Toni Funderburg, coordinator of Wreaths Across America in Lake County, stated that sponsorship forms can be picked up at Lakeport Tire & Auto Service, 1901 S. Main St. Lakeport or you can call 707-263-5422 and they will fax or email you a sponsorship form.
You can also go to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org and sponsor a wreath and payment can be made with a credit card. Please make sure to designate the cemetery and sponsoring group.
To volunteer, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.com, look for the volunteer button, set yourself up as a volunteer at one of the five cemeteries and then you will receive up-to-date information by email.