Wreaths Across America will lay 1350 wreaths on veterans’ graves in the Oxford Cemetery and six other locations in the area during National Wreaths Across America Day this Saturday, Dec. 14. The event starts at noon, when the wreaths will be distributed to the volunteers who are present.

Each year, millions of volunteers and patriots gather in local, state, and national cemeteries across all 50 states and abroad to pay tribute to the country’s service members and their families. 

Clarissa Sherrow, of Oxford, volunteers her time to help lead the local Wreaths Across America effort to ensure that veterans who are buried in cemeteries in and around Oxford are honored and remembered. She explained that the wreaths are paid for by donations from family members, local businesses and fundraising.  

“Two main fundraisers for us are the annual craft fair held in October and a cornhole tournament,” Sherrow said. “Wreaths Across America places wreaths on the graves of veterans every holiday season to remember and honor those who served in the military and teach others, especially children, about our freedom.”

Sherrow said that the Oxford community is very supportive of the mission of Wreaths Across America, and local businesses, local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, the Oxford Police Department, and the Oxford Union Fire Company No. 1, among many others, provide assistance. 

“We are thankful for Peters Trucking LLC of Lenhartsville, Pa. for bringing our wreaths the day of the event,” she explained. “This year we will have a wrapped truck with the Wreaths Across America logo. This is an honor to have this truck come to our town. We will assemble at Union Fire Company at 9:30 a.m. and then proceed to the cemetery.  Anyone wanting to be a part of this can come to the fire house at 9:30. The truck will leave at 10 a.m. for the cemetery. The boxes of wreaths are then unloaded and placed around the cemetery.”

All the wreaths are handmade in Maine. This year, there will be over 4,909 locations participating across the country.

Wreaths Across America has grown considerably in the last two decades, with many more veterans being honored during the holidays with wreaths. Oxford is one example of this growth. Sherrow pointed out that during the first year that Oxford participated in Wreaths Across America, there were 50 wreaths purchased to be distributed. This year, the total number of wreaths is 1,350.

Teaching the younger generations about the importance and value of freedom is an important part of the Wreaths Across America effort, and Sherrow said that she incorporates education into the program. One year, they highlighted the meaning of the folds in the American flag when it is folded. Last year, there was information about the history of the riderless horse.

Sherrow explained why it is important for her to be so involved with organizing and planning the local Wreaths Across America ceremony.

“The event is near and dear to my heart because my husband is a Vietnam Veteran,” she explained. “I have a lot of family who have served in the military.  Veterans deserve our respect and remembrance, and we need to teach the value of freedom to the next generation.”

It’s not too late to help with the local effort for the 2024 Wreaths Across America.

There is no need to sign up in advance to participate. People can help by attending the ceremony and placing wreaths immediately afterward.  

“We also need donations, and they can be by check or online,” Sherrow said. “Online donations should go to our fundraising group.”

The link to the Oxford fundraising group is at https://www.wreaths acrossamerica.org/PA0258.  

Sherrow noted that it's very important to use the fundraising group ID because for every two wreaths purchased, they will receive one free. The wreaths are $17.00 each.  

“With today's economy, it's getting harder and harder to reach our yearly goal,” Sherrow said.

Anyone wanting more information can contact Clarissa Sherrow at 484-645-4513.