Happy New Year, Goshen County! 

Whoa, it has been a year, hasn’t it?

I decided this year, I would make a few resolutions, and I am happy to announce, I have already gotten off to a great start! This year, I wanted to find a cause to donate my time to. With so many great clubs, organizations and generally good missions, it has been hard to decided just what I should do. 

Fun fact, during a college prep test, I learned I should be a “professional volunteer,” so finding something to do with my spare time is a good thing for me. 

Last year, I learned about this neat organization called Wreaths Across America. The organization became popular in 2005 when a photograph of the military graves with holiday wreaths in Arlington National Cemetery circulated. The beautiful evergreen wreaths sat beside the stones on top of a fresh blanket of snow were adorn with a red holiday ribbon. The homespun tribute of a local wreath company quickly took off like wildfire as thousands of people wanted to emulate the project in their own cemeteries. In 2007, when the organization was formed, they adopted the mission: “Remember. Honor. Teach.

Remember: Sponsor a veteran’s wreath in honor of or in memory of a loved one who served in our armed forces. Or sponsor and allow us to designate a recipient among the millions of heroes who rest in honored glory.

Honor: Volunteer with us as we honor our veterans throughout the year. From laying wreaths locally to leading sponsorship group or coordinating a ceremony location, there are many ways to get involved.

Teach: Invited your network of friends, family, coworkers and organizations to join us as we strive to honor every veteran. As the scope of our mission grows, so too does the need for support.” 

The National Wreaths Across America Day will be Saturday, December 13, 2025. Goshen County hasn’t participated in the national event and this year, I would like to change that.

I am organizing the event for Goshen County along with a few others in our community. Currently, we are estimating the number of veterans in Valley View Cemetery to be 1,315; Lingle to be 157. We are waiting on a count for the Yoder and LaGrange cemeteries. I would like to make sure the burial space of each of our veterans is remembered however we will hold an official ceremony at Valley View, pending approval on December 13 with more than 4,600 participating locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad. Wreaths Across America charges $17 for each wreath, making the total donations needed to cover Goshen County, $25,000. Currently, the organization is running a special where for every wreath sold, the customer gets another for free. 

I am looking for a 4-H club, FFA chapter or local organization to help lay the wreaths out next year in December when they arrive. I am looking for a building we can store the wreaths for a few days before we deliver them to the cemeteries and I am looking for wreath sponsors. You can purchase a wreath for your loved one in Torrington or you can donate to the mission of making sure every veteran is remembered during the 2025 holiday season. 

If you are interested in helping, a Goshen County Wreaths Across America Facebook page has been set up and you can email me for more information at jessoaks2021@gmail.com