Support still needed for local ‘Wreaths Across America’ program

LANCASTER – The Wreaths Across America remembrance ceremony is less than a month away, but local organizers are only halfway toward the goal of providing 800 wreaths to adorn veterans’ graves at Lancaster Cemetery.

“We are way down in sponsorships this year but hope the local schools will come through with more next week,” stated Cemetery Manager Dayle DeBry.

They’re calling on the entire community to support Wreaths Across America, a program that recognizes the service and sacrifice of our veterans by honoring them with a wreath at their graves during the holidays.

How you can help

Individuals or businesses may sponsor a fresh balsam wreath for only $15 by stopping by Lancaster Cemetery and filling out a sponsorship form at the office, located at 111 East Lancaster Boulevard in Lancaster. Businesses and individuals are welcome to sponsor 10 wreaths for $150 or 100 for $1500. A representative will be at the cemetery office taking wreath sponsorships today, Thursday and Friday. Call 661-942-6110 for more information. The cut-off date for getting sponsorships to the cemetery is Tuesday, Nov. 25.

Online sponsorships must be completed by Monday, Dec. 1. Wreaths may be sponsored online at www.wreathsacrossamerica.com.

Sponsors must enter the location ID, which is CALCDL for Lancaster Cemetery District, and the group ID number, which is CA0082P for Friends of the Lancaster Cemetery. Without a location ID and group ID number, the wreaths will not be shipped to Lancaster Cemetery.

“We are hoping the community will come through this year as they have in the past,” DeBry stated.

The Lancaster Cemetery will be a local site for this year’s Wreaths Across America program, scheduled for 9 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 13, at 111 East Lancaster Boulevard. The local ceremony will coincide with remembrance ceremonies held nationwide, including the laying of wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery.

For more information, contact Lancaster Cemetery at 661-942-6110.

More on Wreaths Across America

The Wreaths Across America story began over 18 years ago when Worcester Wreath Company (a for-profit commercial business from Harrington, Maine) began a tradition of placing wreaths on the headstones of our Nation’s fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery during the holidays. As word spread, the mission to remember, honor, and teach about the sacrifices made by our veterans has captured the hearts and minds of many communities across the country. In 2010, more than 220,000 wreaths at 545 locations were placed in the United States and beyond.

–