Dear Partners, Supporters, and Volunteers: 

 

With the recent WJLA I-Team coverage on February 26, highlighting questions about Wreaths Across America’s relationship with Worcester Resources, Inc., (dba Worcester Wreath Company), I want to speak directly to our supporters, volunteers, and partners.

 

Wreaths Across America began as a simple act of remembrance. In 1992, Morrill Worcester and his family placed surplus wreaths from their Maine farm at Arlington National Cemetery to honor our nation’s veterans. In 2005, a photograph of those snow-covered headstones reached millions and inspired communities across the country. In 2007, the nonprofit Wreaths Across America was formed to carry that mission forward nationwide.

 

Today, more than 3.1 million wreaths are placed each December at over 5,500 locations. Tens of thousands of volunteers, including many young people, gather to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation about freedom. That mission guides every decision we make.

 

The family connection is the authentic spark that turned a local gesture into a powerful national tribute. Because our origins are rooted in a family business, questions about governance and related-party transactions deserve clear answers. We have disclosed the relationship between Wreaths Across America and Worcester Wreath Company from the beginning, and that disclosure remains publicly available.

 

Over time, as the organization has grown, we have strengthened our governance practices. We maintain a formal conflict-of-interest policy. Family members recuse themselves from wreath procurement decisions. Since 2022, supplier selection has been managed through an independent third-party RFP process conducted by Dryden Procurement Technologies. Worcester Wreath has remained the supplier following competitive bids, with the current contract in place through 2026. We undergo annual independent audits and provide full IRS disclosures each year.

 

Charity Navigator currently rates Wreaths Across America at 88 percent, a Three-Star “Good” rating that evaluates accountability, finance, and measurable impact. On Candid (GuideStar), we have a 2025 Platinum Transparency Rating,  and we also maintain a Best-Charities.org seal of approval. We recognize that oversight and transparency are essential to earning and maintaining public trust.

 

The scale of this effort also matters. Coordinating the harvesting, production, transportation, and placement of millions of fresh balsam wreaths in a narrow December window requires experience, infrastructure, and reliability. Our responsibility is to ensure that every wreath arrives on time and in good condition so that families and volunteers can participate in a meaningful tribute.

 

We understand that growth brings greater visibility and scrutiny. The family isn't stepping away from their founding role in Wreaths Across America because that heritage is what keeps the mission genuine and effective. Growth brings scrutiny, but it also brings more impact: nearly $32 million returned to local veteran nonprofits through the pay-back program since 2007, and Arlington National Cemetery continuing to welcome this meaningful event.

 

We welcome thoughtful questions and remain committed to operating with integrity, transparency, and care. What remains constant is our purpose: to honor our veterans and bring communities together in service.

 

To our partners, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters, thank you. Your commitment ensures that this mission continues to live on in cemeteries, classrooms, and communities across America.

 

God Bless, 

Wreaths Across America + The Worcester Family