The New Lenox Fire Protection District (NLFPD) is honoring the nation’s veterans through the Wreaths Across America campaign. They will be sponsoring wreaths to be placed at the Abraham Lincoln Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.

The Abraham Lincoln Cemetery has nearly 50,000 grave sites. Unfortunately, each year not every gravesite receives a wreath. “It is our goal to sponsor and provide as many wreaths as possible to help fill the void and honor each veteran’s gravesite through the Wreaths Across America program,” said Skip Minger, NLFPD Trustee and Wreath Committee Chairman.

This year, the NLFPD is hoping to provide 1,800 wreaths to cover one section of the cemetery on National Wreaths Across America Day, December 15, 2018.

“Last year, thanks to the community’s donations and our wreath program sponsorships, we raised over $20,000 for Wreaths Across America, which provided 1,330 wreaths,” explained Minger. “This year, we have again partnered with the local American Legion, VFW, Dunkin Donuts and the Village of New Lenox. We also have new partners this year including the Lions Club, Kurtz Ambulance Service, Fischer Real Estate, Dedmon Insurance Associates, Marriott – Maui Ocean Club, Old Plank Trail Community Bank, and Ray Tuminello to help us with our goal of covering one section of the cemetery. Members of our Wreath Committee have also generously donated their time passing out information and donation forms to over 500 local businesses.”

In addition to the sponsorships, the New Lenox Fire District will be accepting both cash and check donations up to November 9th. Donations can be made payable to “Wreaths for Veterans” and mailed to: NLFPD, 261 E. Maple Street, New Lenox, IL 60451. Several donation boxes can also be found at local businesses who are supporting the cause. Each wreath costs $15, however any donation is appreciated. All donations given to the wreath program go toward the purchase of wreaths. Any donations received after the November deadline will be put toward the purchase of wreaths in 2019.

On Wreath’s Across America Day, several Trustees, NLFPD personnel, cadets and friends of the New Lenox Fire Protection District will make their annual trip to Elwood, Illinois to cover their section of graves with the wreaths purchased through this program. “It is such an amazing experience to be able to participate on this day and show our respect to the veterans who have passed and their families who have sacrificed so much. It is an honor to be able to do this for them,” Minger said.

For more information, contact the New Lenox Fire Protection District at (815) 463-4500.

The primary mission of the New Lenox Fire and Ambulance Protection District is to provide a range of programs designed to protect the lives and property within New Lenox Village and Township from the effects for fires and sudden medical emergencies or exposure to dangerous conditions created by man or nature with professional, compassionate, and quality service.
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