Take Part in National Wreaths Across America Day!

REMEMBER the Fallen. . . HONOR those who Serve. . . TEACH our children the value of Freedom.

Wreaths 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 mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.

Following last year’s success working alongside Wreaths Across America (WAA) to sponsor and lay wreaths, Empathy is the Remedy was asked by WAA to be the new Location Coordinator in 2022 for the Riverside National Cemetery, the largest and busiest cemetery managed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs - National Cemetery Administration. Our foundation specifically chose this location as we uncovered that only about 3% or less of the more than 250 thousand veterans interred there were being honored (that’s only about 3000-4200 wreaths on average have been placed there in recent years!) when we first started. Our goal is to raise that percentage and remember as many of the 250K+ fallen Veterans resting there as possible.

Last year, on December 18th, 2021 we were able to provide and lay 128 wreaths at Riverside National Cemetery thanks to the generous contributions of our donors, sponsors, and volunteers. We only hope to continue those efforts this year and ever year onward until we are able to adorn the entirety of the Riverside National Cemetery with wreaths.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Previously, due to COVID-19 restrictions, our normal ceremony was unable to be held, however we are excited to announce that our typically wreath laying ceremony will resume this year!

We are also resuming the acceptance of Grave Specific Wreaths this year. If you or someone you know has a loved one laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery, you can request to have you or a volunteer place a specific remembrance wreath in their honor. If you are interested in sponsoring a grave specific wreath click on the sponsor a wreath button below.

Everyone of all ages and backgrounds are welcome.

Please help ensure all participants get an opportunity to lay a wreath. Please follow the location coordinator Instructions on where to place wreaths as well as how they should be placed.

We especially appreciate volunteers willing to help clean-up, Please check in with the location coordinator by contacting us if you are interested in helping with the clean-up.

Here are 3 ways you can help us complete our goal!

Sponsor Wreaths - that will be placed to Remember and Honor Fallen Veterans - We have thousands of wreaths to make up for this year so if you are able, please consider sponsoring multiple wreaths. There are various sponsorship levels lower and higher but the most popular are 5 wreaths for $75. The cut off for 2022 orders is by November 29th, 2022, however orders can be taken year around and roll into the following period after this date. Link will redirect to our group WAA site. Just click on the red Sponsor Wreath button on that page and fill in form.

Register to Volunteer - We will need help onsite to lay the thousands of wreaths we are able to get sponsored and other activities to support the event. We will have volunteers coming from all over Southern California and even places farther to participate. If you can come to Riverside National Cemetery, please consider volunteering your time and register with us on our custom WAA page. Ceremony is scheduled to start at 9AM however volunteers will be needed before and after the ceremony. Details and timeslots will be provided to registered volunteers prior to the event as soon as released by the site coordinators. Make sure that under "I plan to attend with" you select "My WAA Sponsorship Group or Company" and enter/choose "Empathy is the Remedy Foundation (CA0664P) Supporting: Riverside National Cemetery (CARNCR) Click here to volunteer.

Spread the Word - Lets make this event and cause go viral - Share on Facebook, IG, Twitter, and social media. Invite your friends, family, and contacts to Sponsor, Volunteer, and Spread the Word as well. Please direct all parties to our dedicated WAA link to Sponsor Wreaths and Register to Volunteer. We want to be able to track our group's contribution to the goal and send communications as required.

Please help us honor and remember as many fallen heroes as possible by sponsoring remembrance wreaths, volunteering on Wreaths Day, or inviting your family and friends to attend with you.

Thank you so much for supporting the Empathy is the Remedy Foundation (CA0664P) and Wreaths Across America!