LAKEPORT — Wreaths Across America has helped honor the memories of veterans buried at Hartley Cemetery for the last five years and because of the dedication of local sponsors, remembrances will also be placed in Kelseyville Cemetery this year.
For the second straight year, Boy Scouts Troop 42 in Lakeport set out to attain wreaths for each of the 457 veterans” gravesites at the hometown Hartley Cemetery.
And on Oct. 13, the troop reached its goal for the first time, committee chair Toni Funderburg said, but the donations continued.
“I came in the next day and I had more sponsorship forms on my desk,” she said.
Faced with the prospect of having to return excess funds donated by Lake County sponsors, Funderburg reached out to the Kelseyville Cemetery District to gauge board members” interest in having wreaths placed on veterans” gravesites there.
The neighboring cemetery was a logical choice because many Kelseyville residents donated money for remembrances at Hartley Cemetery, according to Funderburg.
“It didn”t matter to them which graves the wreaths went on. It mattered to them that the veterans are remembered,” she said.
Approval soon came in and county residents have now sponsored 71 wreaths for burial places at the Kelseyville Cemetery, Funderburg said.
With about a month left for the donation drive, Troop 42 hopes to receive sponsorships for every one of the estimated 450 veterans” gravesites at Kelseyville Cemetery.
Scouts and volunteers are scheduled to place the wreaths on Dec. 9, with ceremonies at both cemeteries set for Dec. 10 at 9 a.m., coinciding with simultaneous events throughout the country, including at Arlington National Cemetery.
“The program is really about honoring, remembering and teaching our youth about what the veterans have done for us,” Funderburg said.
Troop 42 will be coordinating wreath donations for Kelseyville Cemetery until Thanksgiving Day.
Individual sponsorships cost $15 for one wreath and the family option costs $60 for four wreaths. Small businesses can fund 10 wreaths for $150 and corporations can sponsor 100 or more wreaths for $15 per item.
Information forms can be found at Lakeport Tire & Auto Service or online at the troop”s Facebook page, “Bsa Troop Forty-two Lakeport.”
Donations by cash or check, along with sponsorship forms, can be dropped off or mailed to Funderburg at Lakeport Tire & Auto Service, 1901 S. Main St., Lakeport CA 95453. Checks must be made out to Wreaths Across America.
Wreaths can only be purchased with credit or debit cards by visiting www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. People ordering online must specify Kelseyville Cemetery District, No. CAKCDK, and troop No. CABSA42.
For additional information, contact Funderburg at 263-5422 or funderburg@mchsi.com.
