Wreaths Across America is thriving at Cornwall cemetery
In 2021, 2.4 million wreaths were placed on veterans’ graves across the United States as a part of the national Wreaths Across America outreach.
Three hundred and fifty seven of those 2.4 million were placed in St. Thomas of Canterbury Cemetery.
2021 was the third year that the Cornwall community was involved in the national program. It’s run by volunteer Lisa Favino, a Newburgh resident whose father, a veteran, is buried at the St. Thomas of Canterbury cemetery.
Wreaths Across America is a non-profit organization that provides participating cemeteries with wreaths that have been sponsored by families, friends and the community to be placed at each veteran’s headstone on Wreath Day. From that organization: “One simple wreath can mean everything to a veteran’s loved ones.”
The placing of the remembrance wreaths doesn’t take place until, of course, December; right before Christmas. In fact, this year it will take place on Saturday, December 17, at noon sharp.
So, why is Favino making social media posts and talking to the local newspaper about the event now, four months early? Because 1) time flies and December will be here before you know it, and 2) it’s time for those who want to donate $15 to sponsor one of the wreaths.
As of Thursday, Aug. 11, 169 of the 360 wreaths needed for Cornwall had been sponsored; that means 190 are still needed.
“It is my honor to announce the official fundraising kickoff for Wreath Day,” Favino said. “The community has been so supportive for the past three years and I am so grateful to each and every one of you who have sponsored wreaths in the past.”
The other thing she is very grateful for is the hands-on help she’s received each year. From local highway crews helping to unload the big boxes full of wreaths when they arrive; to volunteers delivering them to the cemetery; to the local elected officials who have spoken at the opening ceremony on wreath day; to those who show up to place the wreaths on the graves (including local Scouts); she’s incredibly appreciative.
“I have the best volunteers,” she said.
“Participating is a great way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season to honor our service men and women and their families,” the Wreaths across America website notes.
Favino’s husband, Marty, a veteran himself, is her co-coordinator, and in the past several years, as she’s become more experienced in running the local program, she’s had friends help her streamline the program. It runs like clockwork these days … the only variable is the weather in December. One year the ceremony and placing of the wreaths had to be delayed a few days, but Favino says they will always be in place by Christmas.
The wreaths, again, are $15 each, but, be aware that for every two wreaths that are sponsored, a third wreath is free.
To sponsor a wreath, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/NY0273. It’s important to use that exact address to make sure that you are supporting St. Thomas Cemetery in Cornwall NY (NY0273/NYSTCC).
For those who don’t donate online, checks, made payable to Wreaths Across America, can be mailed to: Lisa Favino, 44 Hy Vue Dr., Newburgh NY 12550
There is a great deal of information about the program at www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org. Questions about the local program can also be e-mailed to Favino at stthomaswaa@gmail.com.
