COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine, and COLUMBIA, Md. – February 27, 2025 – MISSION BBQ is proud to announce the donation of $352,930 to national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA). This contribution was made possible thanks to the generosity of MISSION BBQ customers and their support of MISSION BBQ’s special American Heroes Cups. The donation will sponsor 20,761 veterans’ wreaths to remember our fallen U.S. service members laid to rest at 142 participating locations for placement on National Wreaths Across America Day – Saturday, December 13, 2025.

Today, MISSION BBQ co-founders Bill Kraus and Steve Newton presented this donation to WAA’s executive director Karen Worcester during a special presentation in Columbia, Md., at the restaurant located at 6270 Columbia Crossing Circle.

“The generosity of MISSION BBQ and its customers is a powerful testament to their unwavering support for our nation’s heroes and their families,” said Karen Worcester, Executive Director, Wreaths Across America. “Each wreath placed represents a life honored and a promise to never forget the sacrifices made for our freedoms.”

WAA is best known for its annual wreath-laying ceremonies throughout the United States and beyond at more than 4,900 participating locations. However, the nonprofit’s yearlong mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom is carried out by millions of volunteers across the country through many community programs.

“At MISSION BBQ, we believe in giving back to those who gave so much to us. Through the generosity of our customers, we are proud to help Wreaths Across America continue its mission to Remember, Honor and Teach,” said Kraus.

American Heroes Cups are available year-round, retailing at $4.99, with $2 of every cup purchase donated to a charity supporting national military charities and local first responders. Customers are encouraged to return their American Heroes Cup during future visits to the restaurant and receive $.99 refills. To find a MISSION BBQ location near you, visit https://mission-bbq.com/locations.

This year, Wreaths Across America Day will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025. To find a location near you to support, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

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About MISSION BBQ:  

MISSION BBQ opened its doors for business on September 11, 2011, 10 years after the world changed. We believe there is nothing more American than BBQ. And nobody is more American than the brave men and women who have sworn to protect and serve Our Communities and Our Country. We do what we do for the love of our soldiers, firefighters, police officers, and first responders—all our loved ones in service. We set across this great land from Texas to Kansas City, the Carolinas to St. Louis...to discover the secrets of great BBQ. Every day, we strive to serve you authentic BBQ made from the freshest, most delectable ingredients and serve it in a patriotic dining room filled with tributes to those who’ve made Our Country great, given to us by the people who earned them. Please stop by at noon as we sing Our National Anthem. Everyday.

For more information about MISSION BBQ, visit https://mission-bbq.com

About Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, which was begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s yearlong mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out, in part, by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.

For more information or to sponsor a wreath, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Press contacts:

Linda Dotterer

MISSION BBQ

(833) 217-8680

pressroom@mission-bbq.com

Rachael Wilson

Wreaths Across America

(207) 230-4599

rwilson@wreathsacrossamerica.org

NOTES TO MEDIA:

Please visit Wreaths Across America Media Resources Page to download background, photos, logos, or other media resources. Interview opportunities are available upon request.