Every year since 2008, Wreaths Across America Day has seen the placement of wreaths on the graves of veterans in more than 2,500 locations the country and around the world on the second or third Saturday of December.

In Seymour, Kathy Douglass with the Fort Vallonia chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution has been leading the Wreaths Across America campaign for three years now.

When she transferred from her chapter in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Fort Vallonia, after being active in their Wreaths Across the America Day ceremony for five years, she asked the Forth Vallonia chapter about the holiday and if there were any plans for a dedication ceremony.

When she heard they didn’t participate in the program, she offered to take charge of the event.

The first year, the chapter organized a ceremony in North Vernon.

They were working with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1925, Seymour American Legion and the Seymour Young Marines and the next year, they shifted their location to Riverview Cemetery.

Last year, the Fort Vallonia DAR chapter was able to raise $700 and lay 288 wreaths on veteran graves. This was enough to place a wreath on the grave of every veteran on Soldiers Row at Riverview and a number of additional veterans’ graves.

That money, along with more raised throughout the year, went to a few causes as the chapter was able to give $500 to DAR schools for supplies and other resources, $500 for the Young Marine’s trip to Pearl Harbor and used to put together a package of supplies for active military personnel.

To get the event fully supported, the chapter wants to get the word out and wreaths sponsored. Forms can be filled out as an individual for one wreath at $17; a family for five wreaths at $85; a small business for 10 wreaths at $170; and a corporation for 100 wreaths at $1,700.

On the form, veterans can be listed to be honored when a wreath is placed, along with who the grave belongs to. Their names will be read aloud as each wreath is placed, thanking the veterans for their sacrifice.

The deadline to be a sponsor is Friday, Nov. 15. The wreath-laying ceremony will be held Saturday, Dec. 14, at Riverview Cemetery.

Douglass said another way to help besides just becoming a sponsor is by attending the ceremony, to support and help place the wreaths. With how successful last year was, the chapters needs a lot of helping hands, and hopefully, their numbers continue to grow.

Other sponsors for Fort Vallonia’s DAR Wreaths Across America at this time include Cummins Seymour Engine Plant, Seymour Decorating and Rose Acre Farms.

To become a sponsor, visit WreathsAcrossAmerica.org/IN0147P.