On Saturday, July 27, as part of its 11th Annual Stem to Stone event, national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) recognized Public Safety Telecommunicator Teresa Collins of Marblehead, Mass., as the third recipient of the organization’s Chief Janine Roberts’ Leadership Award. This award is given to a law enforcement or first responder who exemplifies unwavering service to their community and dedication to WAA’s year-round mission to Remember, Honor, Teach. 

“Teresa Collins was selected for this year’s award unanimously by our committee,” said Chief (ret) Janine Roberts. “She has been a Public Safety Telecommunicator for the Town of Marblehead for 27 years and is an Emergency Medical Technician. To help support injured veterans in their recoveries, she has volunteered with Boston’s Wounded Veterans Run for over thirteen years. She has spearheaded awareness and support for the WAA mission in her community. Because of Teresa's passion and dedication to our nation’s veterans, she is a worthy recipient of this recognition.”

Collins brought the Wreaths Across America program to Marblehead when she became the volunteer Location Coordinator for Waterside Cemetery. She is also a WAA sponsorship group leader for Marblehead, MA - Wreaths Across America (MA0153), which supports this location. Thanks to her efforts in awareness and public education, she has increased support for the program from 400 veterans’ wreaths sponsored to more than 1,700 last year. In a massive effort this year, Collins has mapped almost 2,500 veterans’ graves in local cemeteries, cataloging each marker so there is a photo of it and information about each person’s service. From there, families can upload stories and photos of their veterans, making the geographical information system (GIS) map she’s created a historical treasure.

 “This is such an incredible honor, it’s hard for me to believe,” said Collins. “I have been an admirer of Chief Roberts for years. My first experience with the mission was participating in the escort to Arlington as a member of the Patriot Guard many years ago. I’ve respected Chief Roberts’ leadership from the beginning and am proud to be recognized by her in this way.”

National Wreaths Across America Day will be held this year on Saturday, December 14, 2024. It is a free event, open to all people. Click here to find a local participating cemetery near you to support. For more information or to find a participating cemetery near you, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.