HONORING HEROES CHALLENGE

Background 
We have promised to Never Forget our Fallen Heroes.  

Through all wars and conflicts, our military heroes have sacrificed their lives for our freedoms.  

Each December, through Wreaths Across America, the headstones of our fallen heroes are adorned with a fresh balsam fir wreath.  Additionally, it is Wreaths Across America's mission to "Remember Our Fallen U.S. Veterans, Honor Those who Serve, and Teach Children the Value of Freedom”.   

Join Wreaths Across America and the Trail Life Troop VA-0122 at New Life Christian Church in their fundraising efforts to raise funds for 400 wreaths to be placed on more than half of the known veteran heroes’ headstones at Columbia Gardens Cemetery (VACOLU).  We are working hard exceed our goal to ensure that a wreath will be placed at all of the 750 known veteran headstones in the cemetery.  With your registration, a wreath is automatically bought is amazing opportunity, and $5 will go to supporting the troop for special events. 

The Honoring Heroes Challenge can be completed anytime between October 11 and Veteran’s Day (November 11).  The 3.1-mile challenge is yours to create!  Run, walk, hike, swim, or ruck (carrying a heavy load during the challenge) at a favorite location of your choosing!   Plus, download the RaceJoy app to ensure the best experience, as a Virtual Race Anywhere course will be shared.  It will include several wonderful cheers to help you along.  Do not forget to encourage others to join you in this Challenge! 

The 2021 Wreaths Across America theme is "Be An American Worth Fighting For."  By participating in this Challenge your run, walk, hike, or ruck (carrying a heavy load, during the challenge) will mean a great deal! 
 
Wreath Sponsorship and Sign-up Process 

• Sponsor Wreath Only:  If you would like to support us by sponsoring directly and not take part in the Challenge, please visit our Wreaths Across America Website and click on “Sponsor Wreaths”.  Checks should be made out to “Wreaths Across America” ($15 per wreath), and please add to the check memo line our Group ID#: VA0312P; Location ID#: VACOLU; Troop #: VA0122.  This will allow $5 to support our troops.  Checks may be hand delivered to a Trail Life Troop Leader, or it may be mailed to: 
   
  Wreaths Across America 
  PO Box 249 
  Columbia Falls, ME 04623 
   
  (Please be sure to write in the check note line: Group ID#: VA0312P; Location ID#: VACOLU; Troop #: VA0122) 
   
• Sponsor Wreath and Challenge Participation:  If you would like to sponsor AND take part in the challenge, please follow these steps: 
  
  • Step 1: Please click on this Sign Up link or the red Sign Up button above to register.  Our Honoring Heroes sponsors are covering administration fees, so all of your donation goes to wreath sponsorship and fundraising!  The first 100 people to register will receive a commemorative Honoring Heroes Challenge neck gaiter!  Participant pricing structure is below: 
     
    September 19 – September 30:  $20 wreath sponsorship 
    October 1 – November 11:  $25 wreath sponsorship  
     
  • Step 2: Download RaceJoy application to get the full virtual race experience. 
     
  • Step 3: Encourage others to join you in our Challenge or by donating directly to meet our 400+ wreath goal! 
     
  • Step 4: Complete your creative challenge of your choosing sometime between October 11 and Veteran’s Day (November 11).  Do share your adventure on social media and tell us about your challenge experience and share your photos on the CompetitorME's and Trail Life VA-0122's Facebook pages! 
     
  • Step 5: After we reach our 400+ wreath goal, please come join us to lay these wreaths at Columbia Gardens Cemetery on December 18 at 9:00 AM. 
     

Important Dates 

• September 19 – November 4:  Challenge Open Registration. 
• October 11 ─ Veteran’s Day (November 11):  Challenge Period Open.  Run, walk, hike, swim or ruck anytime during this period!  Do be sure to share your story on social media and tell us about your challenge experience by sharing your adventures and photos on the CompetitorME's and Trail Life VA-0122's Facebook pages!
• December 18 at 9:00 AM: Ceremony and wreath laying at Columbia Gardens Cemetery (Please join us to lay wreaths bought by this fundraiser challenge!) 

Become an Honoring Heroes Challenge Corporate Sponsor 
Own or lead a business that would like to sponsor this worthy fundraising challenge?  Please contact us today to see how you can play a vital and visible part of our challenge! 

COVID Guidelines 
Your challenge is completely up to you and your imagination, so be creative but be safe!  Please follow the Center for Disease Control and your state and local guidelines in planning and conducting your Honoring Heroes Challenge.  

Here are a few Center for Disease Control guideline resources:  

• Get the Facts about Coronavirus  
• Visiting Parks and Recreational Facilities  

Here are a few Commonwealth of Virginia’s guideline resources:  

• Commonwealth of Virginia, Forward Virginia Guidelines   
• Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, COVID-19 Update: Know Before You Go  
• Virginia Department of Health  
  
  • Practicing Social Distancing During COVID-19
  • Fitness and Exercise  

Additional Receipt Information 
Thank you for your sponsorship for Wreaths Across America (EIN 20-8362270)! 
Please know that this event has a return value of $14.10.