Wreaths Across America Sponsorship Information (10/19/2016)

Wreaths Across America (WAA) Sponsorship Info for Texas State Cemetery-Austin 

Austin, Texas – October 19, 2016:  As part of their 25th anniversary, Wreaths Across America (WAA) is pleased to announce the addition of the Texas State Cemetery-Austin as a participating location (WAA code:  TXATXC).  Founded in 1992 by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester, WAA became a national 501c-3 non-profit organization in 2007 to continue and expand their efforts of placing wreaths on veteran graves.

WAA’s patriotic mission is to:  REMEMBER the fallen, HONOR those who serve and their families and TEACH our children the value of freedom. 

In 2015, thanks to over 600,000 volunteers placing wreaths, sponsoring wreaths, or both, in excess of 901,000 WAA wreaths were placed at 1,100 participating locations including 100% of the graves at Arlington National Cemetery (240,185). 

The government does NOT provide the wreaths for veteran graves.  Wreath sponsorships are $15 per wreath and are tax deductible.

One of the first local groups to support this effort is the Austin Colony NSDAR (National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution) which holds its monthly meetings at the Texas State Cemetery.  Two DAR patriots are buried there. 

"The Texas State Cemetery is a treasure for not only the Austin community but also for the entire state," said Jamie Durham Burchfield, Austin Colony NSDAR Regent.  "We are excited to partner with WAA to honor our nation's veterans and remember their sacrifices during the holiday season."

“In addition to the Texas State Cemetery-Austin team, we are thankful to the Austin Colony NSDAR” members for their efforts to ensure WAA’s first year success,” said Charlotte Waldrum, volunteer location co-coordinator and Past-President of Texas Funeral Directors Association.  She added, “We need, and welcome, additional support from the community for wreaths to be placed at the 2,978 graves there.”

Austin Colony NSDAR opted for WAA’s 3-for-2 program which means for every two wreaths sponsored ($30), a third one is added for the cemetery.   For fundraising groups, WAA offers a “$5 Payback” option which returns $5 from each $15 wreath sponsorship to further their community activities.  Wreath sponsorships are available through Monday, November 28th.  Sponsorships received after that date will be applied to 2017. 

On Saturday December, 17th, 2016, at 11am CST, members of the Austin community will gather at the Cemetery to place wreaths on graves as part of the annual National Wreaths Across America Day. This placement ceremony will be coordinated simultaneously at more than 1,200 participating locations all across the world.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA-AUSTIN

To schedule an interview about WAA, or to find out about becoming a WAA fundraising group you may contact either volunteer TXATXC co-coordinator: Charlotte Waldrum - (972) 740-5863 or Ellen Fuller - (757) 478-4747                                                                                                                     

For WAA wreath sponsorships via credit card, please email:   waa25austin@gmail.com                                                                                                                                                                                  
DAR-AUSTIN COLONY 

For tax deductible WAA sponsorship(s) via check, payable to:  Austin Colony NSDAR and mail to:  Austin Colony NSDAR - PO Box 2333 – Cedar Park, TX  78630 

To assist with wreath placements, please email:  austincolonyNSDAR@gmail.com                                                                                                                                

TEXAS STATE CEMETERY – AUSTIN

For more information (hours, directions and tours) about the Cemetery located at 909 Navasota St-Austin 78702, please call (512) 463-0605 or visit www.cemetery.texas.gov

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA 

For more information, please visit www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org
Follow WAA on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/WAAHQ and on Twitter at @WreathsAcross (http://twitter.com/WreathsAcross)