LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The local supporters of the holiday Wreaths Across America effort are now seeking sponsorships for this year's commemoration.

The annual event includes laying wreaths on the graves of local veterans during the Christmas season.

This year there are four local youth groups that have joined with Wreaths Across America to help get sponsorships for holiday wreaths for veterans who have been laid to rest in Lake County.

Boy Scout Troop 42 hopes to place a wreath on 679 gravesites at Hartley Cemetery, Boy Scout Troop 45 has set a goal of 450 wreaths at Kelseyville Cemetery, 4-H has set a goal of 400 wreaths at Lower Lake and the Future Farmers of America have set a goal off 250 wreaths at Upper Lake.

There will be ceremonies at Hartley, Kelseyville, Lower Lake, and Upper Lake cemeteries at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Youth groups and veterans from around the county will be participating in laying the wreaths and the ceremonies.

Toni Funderburg, coordinator of WAA in Lake County, said that anyone can sponsor a wreath.

Sponsorship forms can be picked up at Lakeport Tire & Auto Service, 1901 S. Main St. in Lakeport, or you can call 707-263-5422 and they will fax or email you a sponsorship form.

If you use Facebook, go to Wreaths Across America – Lake County. You can download a sponsorship form after liking the Wreaths Across America page. You will be able to choose a cemetery and a sponsoring group. Checks must be made to Wreaths Across America.

Or go to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org and sponsor a wreath and payment can be made with a credit card. A sponsorship of a wreath is $15.

There also are family sponsorships for four wreaths, small business sponsorships of 10 wreaths and corporate sponsorships of 100 wreaths or any amount in between.

Any sponsorship is appreciated and will help the sponsoring groups to honor the Lake County veterans.

Wreaths Across America is a national nonprofit organization best known for its annual wreath-laying tradition at Arlington National Cemetery and over 800 other locations nationwide, with a mission to Remember, Honor and Teach about the service and sacrifices of our veterans.

The organization was honored earlier this year with the prestigious 2013 Top-Rated Nonprofit Award by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of information and user reviews about nonprofit organizations across the United States.

“People with direct experience with Wreaths Across America have voted that the organization is making a real difference,” said Perla Ni, chief executive officer of GreatNonprofits.

“We are honored to be named a Top-Rated 2013 Nonprofit and truly thank those who took the time to share their experiences,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America. “We often hear that those who have been impacted by WAA come with a mission and leave with a memory. This is a testament to the organization’s mission to remember our fallen heroes, honor those who serve, and teach our children about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve our freedoms.”