When Kelly Barr Hughes moved to Mount Jewett from St. Louis last October, she brought along her passion for honoring veterans around the country. That’s why she decided to organize a Wreaths Across America event in the area.

According to the event website, “Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 2,100 locations across the United States, at sea and abroad.”

Wreaths are currently being sold for $15 each by Decade Dames (code: PA0526P), the Mount Jewett Vol. Fire Dept. (code: PA0525P), Mount Jewett Hilltop Heritage Coalition (code: PA0530P), Mount Jewett Rotary Club (code: PA0533P), Mount Jewett Boy Scout Troop #410 (code: PA0534P) and the Mount Jewett VFD Fire Police (code: PA0535P).

To purchase a wreath, individuals can either visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org and click on the “local sponsorship group” link under the “sponsor wreaths” button, or talk to a member of one of the aforementioned organizations.

“They sell the wreaths for $15, which goes to Wreaths Across America,” Hughes explained. “Then $5 comes back to the organization that sells the wreath.”

She described it as a “great organization” and said she believes that “every town that has a cemetery with veterans should participate.”

The wreath laying event will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 19 in the Mount Jewett Volunteer Fire Department parking lot at 5 E. Main St., starting with the blessing of the wreaths, the national anthem, playing of taps and a 21-gun salute.

Hot chocolate and a variety of food trucks will also be available. Wreaths will then be placed at the Bridgeview and Nebo Cemeteries.

Hughes said donations and volunteers to help with the wreath laying ceremony would be greatly appreciated.

Those interested can contact Kelly Hughes by phone at 636-524-9826 or by email at mjhilltopheritage@gmail.com.