As the holiday season is fast approaching, many individuals are gearing up for a slightly different holiday experience. Due to the coronavirus, many people are limited to visiting their extended families and must celebrate at home with their immediate family members. Although this may be a downer to the cheery season, there are local charities and volunteer experiences one can participate with alongside their immediate family.

One holiday volunteer event to get involved in is Wreaths Across America. Wreaths Across America started as a simple gesture of thanks that has grown into a national movement of dedicated volunteers and communities coming together to not only remember the nation’s fallen and honor their service but to teach the next generation about the sacrifices made for us to live freely. This year, there will be more than 2,100 participating locations placing wreaths on National Wreaths Across America Day.

This year’s Somerset County location was announced to be at The New Cemetery of Somerville in Somerville; this is the first year that the cemetery will participate in this national event.  The event is hosted by the American Legion Post 12 alongside the Somerville Elks Lodge 1068, and of course with the National nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA). The goal of this event is to support the mission to remember, honor, and teach. The event will take coronavirus precautions as they have to make it mandatory to wear a mask as encouraging social distancing procedures.

Those interested in volunteering for Wreaths Across America, or sponsoring a wreath at The New Cemetery of Somerville, are invited to visit wreathsacrossamerica.org\NJ0104 to learn more.

It is significant to remember all that we are grateful for especially during times of uncertainty. During your time at home, consider honoring soldiers of the past who fought for our freedoms in America.