Latest news with #WreathsAcrossAmerica
Chicago Tribune
18-06-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Monee's St. Paul church granted landmark status by county
A Monee church with roots dating back to the 1850s is being acknowledged as an official Will County historical landmark. The Will County Board Wednesday granted landmark status to the 110-year-old St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 5323 W. Margaret St., making it the 61th Will County site to be named a landmark since the program began in 1992. 'This is very exciting for the village of Monee,' said County Board member Judy Ogalla, who represents the area. While the church was dedicated during services conducted in both English and German on June 13, 1915, the congregation can trace its history decades earlier when German immigrants settled in eastern Will County. In 1858, 35 residents founded St. Paul's congregation, according to the church's history. Despite having little money, they built the original church structure in 1860 for about $1,045 and used adjacent land that was donated by one of the first church officers and village founders for a cemetery. The historic designation is extra special to Christina Holston, a member of the Will County Historic Preservation Commission, whose relatives were among the church's founders in the 1850s. 'St. Paul's has been the cornerstone of village life for many years,' Holston said. 'Community life was centered around St. Paul's.' The ground for a new church was broken in 1914. Members of the congregation placed important documents and the history of the church in a copper box embedded in the cornerstone, though only a few of the charter members who organized the congregation in 1858 were living and present at the ceremony, historical documents said. 'After the cornerstone ceremony the ladies of the church spread long tables in the basement and loaded them with fried chicken, boiled ham, potato salad, pickles, pies and all the trimming, serving over 4,000 until long into the evening,' the church's history said. Throughout the years, the church has been home to several organizations and events, Holston said. Both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts met in the basement as did a quilting society and a knitting club that created handmade booties and blankets for new babies. The church has been a host for veterans breakfasts, pork chop dinners and Oktoberfest celebrations, Holston said. St. Paul's Cemetery, which is the resting place for about 100 veterans, including 17 Civil War veterans, is part of Wreaths Across America day, Holston said. St. Paul's Cemetery was named an official Will County historic landmark in 2020, and numerous of Holston's relatives, dating back to her great, great, great-grandfather, are buried there. 'It's been a landmark in the community for its entire life,' Holston said. 'Now it's officially being recognized.' Landmarking protects local heritage, boosts tourism, increases property values and helps the environment by reusing what already exists, according to the Will County Land Use Department. Property owners may qualify for tax credits and state and federal grants. There are four other Will County landmarks located within Monee Township, including the Monee Creamery, the Riegel Farmstead, the St. Paul's Cemetery, and the Henery Furst House. Nominating the site recognizes its importance to local history and its value to the Monee community, county documents said. Will County staff noted the church's exterior and interior are in good physical condition, and it is an example of gothic revival style, which was a popular architectural style for the times. 'It has a lot of meaning to the village,' said Ogalla, of Monee. 'The families have a deep appreciation and love for this building. It's just a focal point of this community that everyone can wrap their arms around.' She said the building and its congregation are welcoming. Holston said they hope to have a celebration for the historical landmark status later this summer or in fall.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wreaths Across America Executive Director Honored with Colonel Roger H.C. Donlon Patriot Award
The Kansas Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) recognized Karen Worcester for her continuous support of veterans and their families. Col. Roger H.C. Donlon Patriot Award Two recipients of the Col. Roger H.C. Donlon Patriot Award COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine and KANSAS CITY, Kan., June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wreaths Across America (WAA) proudly announces that Karen Worcester, co-founder and executive director of the nonprofit organization, is the 2025 recipient of the Colonel Roger H.C. Donlon Patriot Award. The award was presented Saturday, June 14, by the Association of the U.S. Army's (AUSA) Greater Kansas City Chapter in recognition of Worcester's ongoing support of veterans and families of the fallen through the organization's yearlong mission to remember, honor and teach. Actor and philanthropist Gary Sinise—the inaugural recipient of the Col. Roger H.C. Donlon Patriot Award—presented the recognition during the chapter's 2025 program, marking its 26th anniversary with AUSA and the 250th birthday of the United States Army. The award honors Col. Donlon, the first American soldier of the Vietnam War and the first U.S. Army Special Forces warrior to receive the Medal of Honor. Donlon, who passed away in January, was a longtime volunteer and advocate for WAA and believed immensely in the program's mission. Past recipients of the Col. Roger Donlon Patriot Award include Gary Sinise, Morrill Worcester, Sen. Bob Dole, Art Fillmore, Donnie Edwards, Holly Petraeus and John Holt. Award-winning actor and philanthropist Joe Mantegna was also recognized with Worcester on Saturday night. 'Wreaths Across America exemplifies a steadfast commitment to honoring our nation's heroes,' said Norma Donlon, author, mother, grandmother and Col. Donlon's wife of more than 50 years. 'As we lay wreaths and speak the names of the fallen aloud, we do more than remember — we teach future generations the true meaning of freedom. Karen is the heartbeat behind this important mission, one that Roger believed deeply in, and I know he is looking down with pride.' Immediately upon creating the 501(c)(3) Wreaths Across America in 2007, the board of directors chose Karen Dow Worcester for the position of Executive Director. As a volunteer and co-founder of the nonprofit, Karen tenaciously works on ways the organization can best remember the fallen and honor those who serve. Her passion is to teach our children that our freedoms are purchased at a great cost. 'This award means a great deal to me,' said Worcester. 'Roger was a dear friend and mentor who taught me what true courage and service mean. Like me, he felt that teaching our nation's children to love their country is the most important thing we can do, and I strive every day to help ensure that happens. I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly throughout the year to support this mission.' National Wreaths Across America Day will be held this year on Saturday, December 13, 2025. This free event is open to all, and the organization encourages community members to participate by volunteering locally or sponsoring a wreath for an American hero. For $17, you can help sponsor the year-long programs and resources Wreaths Across America provides. For more information, please visit # # # About Wreaths Across AmericaWreaths 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 yearlong mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington and thousands of veterans' cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. Attachments Col. Roger H.C. Donlon Patriot Award Two recipients of the Col. Roger H.C. Donlon Patriot Award CONTACT: Amber Caron Wreaths Across America 2075136457 acaron@
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mobile exhibit honoring veterans stops in Scranton
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A mobile exhibit made a stop in Lackawanna County Tuesday to honor our country's veterans. The Wreaths Across America Exhibit was at Toyota of Scranton on Tuesday. The exhibit features displays that educate visitors about those who serve. It also features a theater where guests can learn about wreaths for veterans. Greek Food Festival kicks off in Scranton Organizers say honoring veterans is a cause that's near and dear to their hearts. 'I come from a very, ya know, proud military family, and I just love veterans. I love being able to bring awareness to the veterans that are still here, and veterans that have passed, because if we didn't have them, then we wouldn't have half the things that we do now,' Location Coordinator for Wreaths Across America, Megan Fenwick, explained. The Wreaths Across America event runs through Wednesday at Toyota of Scranton and is free. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wreaths Across America exhibit comes to Clearfield
CLEARFIELD COUNTY (WTAJ) – The Wreaths Across America education exhibit made its way to Clearfield on Friday, June 6. The exhibit goes through the history of the organization, explaining the importance of honoring veterans and why it's important to lay wreaths. Historic Crown Crest Cemetery worked to get the exhibit in Clearfield after they participated in Wreaths Across America for the first time last year. They say that they had the exhibit scheduled to come to the area for over a year. 'We were able to get it here today so that people could come for free. Go inside the exhibit and view the story of Wreaths Across America, the importance of it, the importance of honoring our veterans, those who served their country to give us our freedom today,' Linda Lawhead Pollock of the Historic Crown Cemetery Wreaths Across America said. The Historic Crown Crest Cemetery is also looking for people to donate so they can provide more wreaths to veterans this year. To donate, you can visit the Wreaths Across America website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Join Wreaths Across America's Annual Giving in July Celebration!
Support local Sponsorship Groups in your community now while sharing the year-long mission to Remember, Honor, Teach. Columbia Falls, Maine, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) announces the kickoff of its annual Giving in July campaign! For WAA, this annual celebration is dedicated to local groups and individuals participating in the organization's Sponsorship Group Program. Through this unique program, supporters can help local programs make a difference in their communities with each $17 sponsorship to WAA. Since its founding in 2007, WAA has collaborated with hundreds of charities, community programs and civic groups nationwide to remember and honor our nation's veterans and active-duty military all year. Giving in July celebrates these groups and highlights the opportunity to give back to them through the sponsorship of veterans' wreaths. WAA has given back more than $28 million in local contributions through this national program over the last 17 years! Click here to learn more and show your support by sponsoring a veteran's wreath through one of WAA's many Sponsorship Groups nationwide! 'I have long said it would be disingenuous for us as an organization whose mission is to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom if we do not support other like-minded programs doing just that in their communities,' said WAA Executive Director Karen Worcester. 'Our Sponsorship Group Program is a year-round effort, but through 'Giving in July,' we hope to remind people that across the country there are programs providing resources to our nation's veterans, active-duty military and families who need our support now.' Follow the hashtag #GivinginJuly to learn the impactful stories of volunteers and Sponsorship Groups doing good in their communities and benefiting from dollars raised through wreath sponsorships. Tune in to Wreaths Across America Radio to hear their stories, available on the iHeart Radio app, TuneIn, and the Audacy app, at or on SoundCloud here. More than 5,000 locations will participate in National Wreaths Across America Day this year on Saturday, December 13, 2025. This free event is open to all, and WAA encourages community members to participate by volunteering locally or sponsoring a wreath for an American hero. # # # About Wreaths Across AmericaWreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun in 1992. The organization's yearlong mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington and thousands of veterans' cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more information about volunteering, getting involved in the mission, or sponsoring a wreath, please visit CONTACT: Amber Caron Wreaths Across America 2075136457 acaron@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
