Wreaths Across America Kicks Off 2014 Fundraising Season

COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine and ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Wreaths Across America™ (WAA), the national nonprofit best known for its annual wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and more than 900 locations nationwide, announced today that in honor of the historic cemetery's 150^th anniversary and the 23^rd year of its annual event, WAA is working to make this year's wreath-laying ceremony the most powerful to date. WAA plans to cover each of Arlington's 230,000 grave sites this year, marking a more than 35 percent increase over last year or 87,000 additional deserving veterans who did not receive a wreath last year.

"In past years, when placing the last wreath, we've seen bare markers and we're reminded of the veterans who sacrificed so much for their country who are not being recognized," said Wayne Hanson, WAA chairman. "With an all-volunteer staff and no government funding, we are asking every American to do their part to honor our nation's heroes." To accomplish this goal of covering each headstone at Arlington National, WAA needs to secure nearly $3.5 million in wreath sponsorships. Each sponsored wreath costs $15.

Every year, thousands of veteran wreaths are placed during the holiday season by WAA. In all, an estimated total of 725,000 wreaths will be placed across the country on National Wreaths Across America Day — Sat., Dec. 13, 2014.

"We want to get the word out that we need help to accomplish this important goal," said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. "Each and every wreath is a gift from an appreciative person or family who knows what it means to serve and sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy, fulfilling our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach."

If you would like to help honor our nation's heroes, you can get more information on how to volunteer, start a fundraising group or sponsor a wreath here.

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 begun by Maine businessman, Morrill Worcester, 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, as well as hundreds of veterans' cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more information, to donate or to sign up to volunteer, please visit wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Follow Wreaths Across America on Facebook at facebook.com/WAAHQ and on Twitter at twitter.com/WreathsAcross.

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SOURCE Wreaths Across America