Fifty-one days out from the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Bridgeport Cemetery, 518 wreaths have been purchased, 1,057 short of the annual goal. According to the way the campaign has been progressing, Christa Parker – who founded the local project in 2016 and who heads up Wreaths Across America Team Bridgeport. thinks all 1,575 soldier gravesites at the cemetery will be honored with a holiday wreath this year.

 

Parker started the program here in Bridgeport in 2016, in honor of her son Private First Class Garrett Parker, who died suddenly in 2014. She and her family have been mindful of ways to boost wreath orders and even win wreaths through Wreaths Across America. Twice, the Parker family has won the national Pictures of Patriotism Contest, earning 100 free wreaths each time.

 

She has also been successful in winning wreaths by participating in a map activity through the Wreaths Across America Web site. After placing an order for a wreath at the cost of $15, the purchaser can comment on a U.S. map – located on the Wreaths Across America Team Bridgeport Facebook page - which state he or she represents. Once all 50 states are colored in, Team Bridgeport wins free wreaths. Only 13 states are left this year, Parker said.

 

"It's a fun way to get other states involved and to learn about Wreaths Across America," Parker said. "Friends and family from all over have been donating from their state and others have picked a state if their state has already been colored in."

 

Awareness activities are always helpful in spreading the word about Wreaths Across America. Team Bridgeport has had a presence at various area parades, festivals and other events. On Nov. 12, the group will enter a float in the Veterans Day Parade in downtown Clarksburg.

 

Still in the planning stage, this year’s wreath-laying ceremony will be Saturday, Dec. 15, beginning at noon. Everyone is welcome to attend. Parker said her group is talking about how local school students can welcome the Wreaths Across America semi into the city.

 

In 2016, Team Bridgeport raised 1,093 wreaths and in 2017, that increased to 1,171 wreaths. This year, they are shooting for the full 1,575 – enough for each U.S. soldier.

 

Wreaths can be purchased for delivery to Bridgeport Cemetery HERE.