Volunteers across Texas are joining the national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) to prepare for National Wreaths Across America Day, Saturday, December 13.

This year, 453 participating locations across the state will participate in the annual event, which honors every interred American veteran with a live balsam wreath. This December, 744 local WAA Sponsorship Groups have registered. They are working to raise the funds needed to place wreaths on the graves of the more than 574,600 service members resting in these participating cemeteries.

Through these efforts, volunteers help advance WAA’s year-round mission to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.

To view participating locations and sponsorship groups in Texas, or to support a local effort, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org and use the Search option. Each location page provides details about local groups, events, and opportunities to get involved.

Earlier this month, Veterans Land Board Chairwoman and Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Bukkingham, M.D., encouraged Texans to help the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery (SVC) in Mission., achieve its goal of having over 4,400 wreaths sponsored to lay at the graves of our nation’s heroes.

The cemetery’s Wreath Laying ceremony is on Saturday, December 13 at 9 a.m. As of Monday, November 17, the cemetery had 1,446 wreaths sponsored, only 32% of its goal (4,400). The RGV SCG is also seeking volunteers to help with the ceremony.

The links to support the Rio Grande Valley SVC can be found here https://www.glo.texas.gov/about-glo/press-releases/commissioner-buckingham-encourages-texans-sponsor-wreaths-rio-grande.

Since its founding in 2007, WAA has partnered with thousands of local nonprofits, civic organizations, and Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) to raise awareness and wreath sponsorships nationwide. Through WAA’s $5 Pay Back Program, registered groups earn $5 for every $17 veteran’s wreath sponsored—funds that give back to their communities to support local programs to help veterans and their families.

 “It would be disingenuous for us as an organization whose mission is to Remember, Honor, and Teach if we did not also support like-minded programs serving their communities,” said Karen Worcester, WAA Executive Director. “Our Group Sponsorship Program is a year-round effort, and our programs provide the tools so donors can be confident their support benefits a local cause.”

This December, nearly 7,500 sponsorship groups will participate in National Wreaths Across America Day at over 5,400 locations across the country, working to ensure every hero is honored with a live veteran’s wreath.

Tune in to Wreaths Across America Radio to hear stories from volunteers across Texas and learn how they are helping to grow the mission in their communities.