WHO WE ARE

A local tradition began in 2006 when the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery opened outside of Dixon, California, and wreaths were placed on the gravesites at holiday time in honor of our fallen. It is estimated about 346,000 veterans live within the service area of this northern California cemetery and that it would serve the needs of this area for the next 50 years.

About 300 wreaths were purchased in mid-December that year and the annual event was started by a dozen volunteers. By the following year, the cemetery had already grown to more than 1,300 grave sites. Letters and press releases went out asking the neighboring communities for donations and help with this new project. The response was overwhelming and the cemetery was entirely covered again.

The 2008 project planning began in late September. We started a letter-writing campaign to previous years' donors, sent letters to our growing email database and sent press releases to all area media outlets. With so many helping to spread the word, another successful collection drive was had and the cemetery was 100% covered again. Even though 2009 was a much bigger challenge economically, the tradition had settled in and people were sending in their annual donations. The highlight of that year was that over 2,000 volunteers came to help on a drizzly, foggy morning to lay 5,000 wreaths... it was truly phenomenal!

For 2010 the goal amount was 7,400 wreaths, and with the generosity of many, that goal was met! We contacted a supplier in Oregon (Teufel Holly Farms), who sold us wreaths for only $7 each and they were able to keep the wreaths at the same price for the 2011 campaign for which 9,300 wreaths were purchased.

In 2012, nearly 11,000 wreaths were purchased and placed by approximately 5,000 volunteers, of all ages, in attendance. For December 2013, we met the goal of covering the entire cemetery again, and honored the 12,500 veterans resting there. Once again, wreaths were delivered to us one week prior to the public wreath-laying event for those preferring a more private remembrance.

For the 2014 holiday season, we needed approximately 15,000 wreaths to remember each of the fallen there, and we did it again thanks to the support of the local communities. The 2015 project was also successful in raising enough funds to 100% coverage, and we laid 16,700 wreaths to honor the Fallen.

In 2016, the goal was 18,850 wreaths and we did it once again, and honored all of the Fallen resting in Dixon. And for 2017, at $9 each, we did it again and had 100% coverage with 20,600 wreaths. We continued with 100% coverage of wreaths again in 2018 and 2019.

In 2020, we made the switch to boughs instead of wreaths due to the pandemic. The support did not stop even though our fundraisers had to be put on hold and we have kept the tradition of 100% coverage going in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, with the last being 32,500 boughs. It is estimated that we will need 35,000 boughs for the 2024 holiday season.

Each year has presented its own special issues, whether it be financial, logistical, or something else, but every year, the support of this special event boldly outweighs any obstacle.

You can help by spreading the word to your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers! Direct them to the website, sign up for Wreath Project updates via email, support our fundraising events and by attending the bough placement ceremony... it's something you'll never forget!!

Contact information for questions, to book a speaker for your group, or to be added to the email list:

Curtis Stocking: 707.761.3343 or Curtis@GreenFieldsRE.com

Susie Stocking: 707.249.5852 or WreathProject@yahoo.com