RCCF's Wreaths Across Ripley County Named Top Group in Indiana

Each year, Wreaths Across America recognizes top sponsorship groups for excellence in serving their local community.

Photo provided.

(Ripley County, Ind.) - Each year, national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) recognizes top sponsorship groups for excellence in serving their local community while helping to share the yearlong mission to Remember, Honor, Teach. Among the thousands of supportive groups honoring locally interred veterans through wreath sponsorships, WAA recently announced that special recognition has been given to Wreaths Across Ripley County as the outstanding top wreath laying group in Indiana.

Since its founding in 2007, WAA has collaborated with hundreds of like-minded organizations, volunteers, and civic groups nationwide to remember and honor our nation’s veterans. In 2023, Wreaths Across Ripley County was able to maximize efforts to honor 4,322 veterans laid to rest at 56 local cemeteries. The Ripley County Community Foundation would like to thank the community, dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors, and members of the media for coming together in unity and supporting those who have protected our freedom. Each person has played an important part in this mission.

Each live, balsam veteran’s wreath was a gift of respect and appreciation, sponsored by an individual or organization and placed on a headstone by volunteers as a small gesture of gratitude for the freedom Americans enjoy. For centuries, fresh evergreens have been used as a symbol of honor and have served as a living tribute renewed annually. Wreaths Across Ripley County believes the tradition represents a living memorial that honors veterans, active-duty military, and their families. When each wreath is placed the service member’s name is said out loud, ensuring their memory lives on.

“Wreaths Across Ripley County has become a great multi-county effort involving numerous community partners to fulfill the mission of Wreaths Across America to ‘Honor those who have served, Remember those who have fallen, and Teach our youth the value of freedom’,” stated Owen Menchhofer, member of the Ripley County Historical Society.” This program would have never been successful without the great cooperative effort between the Ripley County Community Foundation and the Ripley County Historical Society. RCCF truly practices their mission of “Connecting People Who Care With Causes That Matter”.”

This year, the Versailles Ladies Auxiliary will educate our local middle school students on the value of this program. Students will have the opportunity to assemble wreaths that will be laid in their respective towns. This hand-on experience will engage students and foster a deepened awareness of the sacrifices made by those in their community.

You can help support Wreaths Across Ripley County’s efforts by sponsoring a veteran’s wreath for placement on National Wreaths Across America Day 2024 – Saturday, December 14. A portion of each $17 donation to Wreaths Across Ripley County will support an endowment fund to honor the sacrifices of US veterans and their families, to preserve democracy and ethics in our society, and to preserve our history. In addition, a live balsam wreath will be placed on the headstone of an American hero. To sponsor a wreath, visit https://rccfonline.org/impact/initiatives/wreaths-across-ripley-county/.

This program is made possible by generous community members that donate their time. If you are interested in volunteering for Wreaths Across Ripley County, contact the Ripley County Community Foundation’s Program Coordinator, Janice Lamping via email at jlamping@rccfonline.org or phone at 812-933-1098.

To learn more about how you can create opportunities in your community, contact the Ripley County Community Foundation, which is located at 13 E. George Street, Suite B, Batesville, IN, by calling 812-933-1098, or via email at office@rccfonline.org. This is just one more way we are working to Connect People who Care with Causes that Matter.