'Isn’t a hero worth $10?': Donations down for Southern Wisconsin chapter of Wreaths Across America

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Friday, Oct. 7, an urgent call for help from a group committed to honoring fallen veterans.

Each year Wreaths Across America, a national organization, places memorials on the gravesites of veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice, but this year they say need your help to make it happen.

Last year, volunteers raised enough money to lay 4,000 wreaths at the gravesites of veterans at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove. However, the problem is, there are more than 20,000 heroes buried at the cemetery.

"It's overwhelming to decide who gets a wreath and who doesn’t," said Ellen Jante, a volunteer with Wreaths Across America.

The wreath-laying ceremony will take place on Dec. 17 across the county.

The goal here in Southern Wisconsin is to have a wreath for every man and woman who gave their lives for this country.

"Billy is my cousin, he was involved in the Gulf War, he died way too young," said Karen Gross, a volunteer with Wreaths Across America.

The laying of wreaths is a gesture not funded by the government.

"Once we knew that, we said now we have a mission," said Jante.

A mission the volunteers say they are in desperate need of help for.

Jante goes on to say, "We have enough to purchase, I believe a thousand, we are way down in our donations this year."

Every month, more than 120 veterans are buried at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove.

If you would like to donate to the wreath project, you can make a check out to Wreaths Across America. On the check at the lower left portion, enter "Wi0044." This will ensure the wreath will be placed in Union Grove.

Volunteers ask that you include the name of a veteran if you have one you would like to recognize.

Mail checks to: Wreaths Across America Wi0044 WISVMU.