15-year-old works to honor veterans with Wreath Across America fundraising

15-year-old works to honor veterans with Wreath Across America fundraising

PORTLAND, Ohio – Lila Cooper, a 15-year-old freshman at Southern High School, has been busy this year raising money for a good cause. Wreath Adventures, is a branch of Wreaths Across America that place wreaths on thegraves of veterans. Lila says she chose to do this project because she has many members of her family that are veterans.

Lila and her family have always wanted to go to Arlington, Virginia to help lay wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery. When she found out there was a Wreath Adventures in Meigs County she started collecting monies to donate to the cause. From November to January for the 2021 event, she raised $730. For the 2022 season, she has already raised $5,056. Wreaths Across America takes place each year around December 19.

Lila stated, “My goal is to one day make sure that every veteran’s grave has a wreath for Christmas.” Anyone who would like to contribute throughout the year can, by going to Farmers Bank and contributing to the Wreaths Adventures account, according to Lila.

Lila partnered with the Buffington Island Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited at the end of April when they raffled off a muzzleloader and hunting blind package. 

Whitetails Unlimited is a nonprofit white tailed deer organization with the mission to raise in support of educational programs, wildlife habitat enhancement and acquisition, and the preservation of the shooting sports and hunting tradition for future  generations.

Lila would like to express gratitude to the following : J. Campbell Construction, Mike Johnson, T. Johnson Contracting, Hupp Landscaping, John Stevens with Thermal Solutions, Cinda Stevens with Johnny on the Spot, Hupp Outfitters, and especially like to thank Joel Reyonlds, field director for Whitetails Unlimited and Jeremy Hupp for making the weekend happen.