A fundraising craft and vendor show to benefit the local chapter of Wreaths Across America will be held on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Gap Fire Company, 802 Pequea Ave., Gap. Proceeds from the event will help fund the cost of placing wreaths on the graves of veterans at cemeteries in the Pequea Valley and Octorara areas.

This is the second year for the craft show, which will feature additional vendors this year. "Last year, we had right around 20 (crafters); we will have at least 25 this year," noted committee member Deb Plum, who is planning the event along with Paula Diem. "We will have wood decor, primitive decor, candy, pet treats, candles, jewelry, greeting cards, 3-D printed items, crocheted items, skin care items and kitchenware. We go for a variety. No one goes to craft shows and wants to see the same thing."

Vendors, who will be stationed both inside and outside the fire company, are asked to pay a registration fee and to donate one item for a random drawing that is held as part of the event. The prize drawing includes gift baskets as well.

The Gap Fire Company will serve food, including breakfast sandwiches, lunch items and beverages.

Wreaths Across America volunteers place wreaths on the graves of veterans every holiday season to remember and honor those who served in the military. "We place 3,000 wreaths at 30 cemeteries in Lancaster and Chester counties. It has really grown; it started as 18 cemeteries," noted Plum. "We hold fundraisers throughout the year to pay for the wreaths." In addition to the craft show, the chapter holds a golf outing and a bingo.

This year, wreaths will be laid locally and nationwide on Saturday, Dec. 13. Locally, the day will begin with an opening ceremony at noon at the Pequea Valley Secondary School, 164 S. New Holland Road, Kinzers. "Everyone disperses, and there is a team that goes to each cemetery," Plum noted. "The public is invited to the ceremony, even if they don't want to lay wreaths."

Wreath placement will take place at area cemeteries such as Glen Run Cemetery in Atglen and cemeteries at Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church in Parkesburg, Bellevue Presbyterian Church in Gap, Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Enola and St. John's United Methodist Church in Gordonville.

Individuals, as well as local groups, are invited to volunteer that day. "We have a cemetery in Octorara that is huge, and Boy Scout troops help with that," Plum noted. "Girl Scouts also come and help."

According to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org, the tradition began in Harrington, Maine, in 1992, when Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company, discovered he had a surplus of more than 5,000 wreaths. Working with representatives in Washington, D.C., the wreath maker had the extras placed at Arlington National Cemetery in one of the older cemetery sections that had few visitors. From there, the organization grew. In 2024, Wreaths Across America placed more than 3 million veterans' wreaths at more than 4,900 locations across the country. 

The 2025 Wreaths Across America theme is "Keep Moving Forward," which were the final words spoken by Capt. Joshua Byers, United States Army, who was killed in action in Fallujah, Iraq, on July 23, 2003.

For more information about the upcoming craft show or the local Wreaths Across America program, search for "Wreaths Across America - Pequea Valley Cemeteries" on Facebook. A few outdoor vendor spaces are still available. Crafters should contact Plum at debcplum@gmail.com for more information or send a message via the Facebook page.