True Patriots Care to place over 1,000 wreaths on veteran graves in Dundee Township cemeteries
In honor of National Wreaths Across America Day, True Patriots Care will place more than 1,000 wreaths on veterans' graves in Dundee Township cemeteries. This is the first year that the organization participated in this national program.
Wreaths Across America started as a simple gesture of thanks that has grown into a national, yearlong movement of dedicated volunteers and communities coming together to not only remember the nation's fallen and honor their service, but to teach the next generation about the value of freedom.
This year, there will be more than 3,700 participating locations placing veterans' wreaths on National Wreaths Across America Day - Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 - with more than two million volunteers coming together.
As the hosting organization for the Dundee Township cemeteries, True Patriots Care solicited donations from the community and nearby villages in an effort to place sponsored wreaths on the headstones of local heroes laid to rest in the cemeteries, to ensure that the individuals who served to protect the freedoms of our country will never be forgotten and to bring the community together in patriotic commemoration.
"I am forever thankful to our community of supporters and volunteers who have helped us raise enough funds to place over 1,000 wreaths," said True Patriots Care founder and Army veteran Jerry Christopherson. "It is our goal at True Patriots Care to recognize and honor first responders and members of the military and honor them for their service. We are grateful to be able to do it in such a big way by participating in Wreaths Across America Day."
Fellow Army veteran and local business owner Dr. Matt Karsten heard of the nonprofit's goal and reached out to offer a one-for-one sponsorship during the last week of sales.
Kids First Pediatric Dentistry ended up sponsoring 245 wreaths bringing the grand total to 1,086 wreaths.
"I have heard of True Patriots Care and their work in the community before," said Dr. Karsten. "When I learned they were still trying to reach their goal, I felt compelled to jump in and offer my support. The simple act of laying a wreath on a veteran's grave shows much deserved respect and honor to our nation's heroes. I am happy I could be a part of that."
A ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at the East Dundee cemetery immediately followed by wreath placement at both the East and West Dundee cemeteries.
For more information, to donate or to sign up to volunteer, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/176253. National Wreaths Across America Day is a free, non-political/religious event open to all people.
True Patriots Care (www.truepatriotscare.com) a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing and supporting those who have served their communities as first responders and as members of the armed services. The foundation seeks to enrich the lives of these individuals and their families through honor and support. By creating powerful flag displays at events and locations across Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana as well as installing displays outside Chicago-area funeral homes, churches, and civic centers, so the entire community knows when a hero is being laid to rest, True Patriots Care honors heroes in our community and raises funds for worthy causes.
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 at thousands of veterans' cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.