A member of Port Security Unit 309 lays a wreath to honor Coast Guard veterans at the 2022 Wreaths Across America event at Riverview Cemetery. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

Nearly 5,000 wreaths were laid at veterans’ graves in Ottawa County cemeteries during Wreaths Across America in 2022. The annual event helps Americans remember the sacrifice and service of military personnel. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Each year, the Wreaths Across America, Ottawa County Wreath Committee, which is comprised of just five people, takes on the monumental job of honoring veterans during the Christmas season. Every December, the committee and a team of volunteers lay wreaths on graves of Ottawa County veterans.

Wreaths Across America, Ottawa County is a nonprofit which relies solely on fundraisers and donations to purchase wreaths. In 2023, 6,294 wreaths were placed on veterans’ graves. The cost for the project is lofty for an organization with little funds.

On Nov. 2, the group will host the 8th annual Run for Wreaths 5K Fun Run/Walk fundraiser at East Harbor State Park. Registration costs $20.

“We’ll have fruit, water, coffee and door prizes,” said committee member, Shelley Schutte.

The Fun Run is just that – a race for fun. It is not an official, timed race but is instead a chance for the community to come together to help raise funds to honors its heroes.

The committee rotates which towns will receive wreaths each year.

“We’d love to do all of Ottawa County every year, but it’s a lot of money,” Schutte said.

Other Wreaths Across America, Ottawa County fundraisers include the annual chicken dinner and silent auction in the spring and 50/50 drawings at Camp Runinmuck in Marblehead.

“Camp Runinmuck let us do 50/50 drawings all summer. They’ve been very generous,” Schutte said.

The Wreaths Across America, Ottawa County Wreath Committee will host a winetasting fundraiser at The Mockingbird on Mill Road in Graytown on Dec. 8. Contact any committee member for details and reservations.

Placing wreaths on the graves of veterans reminds the community to honor their hometown heroes.

“We can’t forget the people who served us. We can’t forget the people who put their lives on the line so we could have the freedoms we have today,” Schutte said. “Our motto is, ‘Remember, Honor and Teach.’ Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve and have served. Teach your children the value of our freedom. That mission goes year-round, not just in December.”

In addition to Schutte, the committee includes Sara Toris, Kayleen Daup, John Heminger and Nate Holman.

“All of us on the committee has someone who has served, either present or past,” Schutte said.

Runners and volunteers are needed for the Nov. 2 Run for Wreaths event, which begins at 10 a.m. Information on the event, including a registration link, can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/501382709315620. The event will start at Lockwood Shelter at East Harbor State Park, located at 1169 N. Buck Rd. in Marblehead.

The committee and their team of volunteers will lay wreaths on veterans graves during the national Wreaths Across America event on Saturday, Dec. 14. For more information, visit the Wreaths Across America, Ottawa County Wreath Committee Facebook page.

For information on donating or volunteering for the Ottawa County projects, please contact Sara Toris at the Ottawa County Veterans Service office at 419-898-2089. Donations intended for Ottawa County need to be sent to Ottawa County. Donations sent to the national Wreaths Across America organization may not be funneled backy to Ottawa County.