Volunteers sought for wreath pickup

Eel River Valley Chapter NSDAR has been notified by Patty Schned, California chair for Junior American Citizens, that its collaborative community service project with Bridgeville 4-H and local JAC members has won first place in California and is being forwarded to the Southwest Division for review.

The wreath project began in December 2022 when the Eel River Valley Daughters of the American Revolution had its first Wreaths Across America event at Sunrise Cemetery in Fortuna. The wreaths had to be cleaned up in January 2023. A Bridgeville 4-H leader helped pick up the wreaths and transport them to Bridgeville. The Bridgeville 4-H/JAC project took apart the wreaths so the branches could be put into green waste (courtesy of Bridgeville Elementary School) and the metal could also be reused for a Bridgeville 4-H/JAC project in the fall of 2023. The red ribbons were carefully taken off, straightened out and stored.

This past fall, JAC members made 20 wreaths for the Fortuna Rehabilitation and Wellness Center to decorate its care facility. Wreaths will be picked up this Sunday at 1 p.m. at Sunrise Cemetery and dismantled and for recycle and reuse.This year, there are 120 wreaths so extra help is needed. Everyone is welcome to stop by the cemetery, 3315 Newburg Road, Sunday afternoon to assist.

Youth who will be receiving recognition for their efforts are Shiloh Perras, Todd Perras, Quinn Barnwell, Eden Benavidez, Lilly Holway, Anora Asbury, Kolt Barnwell, Myla Kirk, Kayla Kirk, Annabelle Enstminger and Nadine Loveless, according to a press release.