Each December, Wreaths Across America coordinates ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, and across the country, to remember those who've sacrificed to protect our country.
The organization tries to place a live wreath on every veterans' grave. The goal is to put 1.8 million wreaths on gravestones, and they don't want to come up short.
On Monday, one local business helped in a major way.
In Virginia Beach, for the second year in a row, the 91-year-old independent hardware chain Taylor's Do It Center, and its 18 stores, came through this year with a $14,000 check.
Each third Saturday in December, National Wreaths Across America Day comes with a mission to remember, honor and teach. This year the event falls on Saturday, December 15. The public ceremony will be at noon.
"It's an easy charity to get attached to. It's a feel-good thing, and to honor our veterans, especially at the holidays, our customers love. They love it as much as we do. So it's been good," said Joe Taylor, the President and CEO of Taylor's Do It Center.
"Wreaths Across America" started back in 1992, when Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine, had a surplus of wreaths toward the end of the holiday season.
The company donated them to Arlington National Cemetery. By 2007, the "Wreaths Across America" non-profit group was founded and went nationwide.
By 2014, they laid more than 700,000 memorial wreaths at 1,000 locations in the U.S., including not only Arlington but Pearl Harbor, Bunker Hill, Valley Forge and the sites of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Wreaths Across America organizer Bre Kingsbury appreciates Taylor's Do It Center's contributions.
"It's wonderful having a local business wanted to get involved. We are a grassroots organization," Bre Kingsbury said. "If anyone wants to donate they can, each wreath is $15."
To make a donation, or to learn more CLICK HERE.
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