Emporia’s Wreaths Across America effort is gaining steam and support.
During a presentation to Lyon County Commissioners as part of their regular action meeting Thursday, organizers involved with the effort reported that in the last week, wreath pledges had exceeded 1,400, a major increase of just over 300 from a week ago. Organizer Clay Childs says local engagement is a big key to this success, adding that he and others have been looking for opportunities to “carry over” the energy and passion stirred up locally by the appearance of the Wall That Heals earlier this year, calling Wreaths Across America a perfect program for such an effort.
Not only has support increased in recent days, but so has the stated goal for wreaths this year, according to Childs. Originally, longtime organizer Scott Burnheide had stated he was hoping for 1,600 wreaths this year after placing more than 600 last year.
Childs says that after coming on board with the effort, he and other organizers felt “That wasn’t enough” and chose to increase the goal to 2,300, the exact number of veteran headstones in Maplewood Memorial Lawn Cemetery. Looking at the recent increase in pledges, Childs is very confident they can come close to, if not hit, this goal in the near future; however, he says it will take more support from the community, something they received from commissioners.
After the presentation, the commission voted unanimously to approve a $1,700 donation from the county to the effort, which will result in 100 more wreaths. Following that action, commissioners also wrote personal checks for the effort, with Commission Chair Ken Duft saying this is the least they can do to truly thank those who gave their lives in service to our country.
Fundraising for Wreaths Across America will continue until November 25th, when the ordered wreaths must be placed. The official ceremony will take place at Maplewood Memorial Lawn Cemetery on Saturday, December 13th. For more information or to contribute to the cause, visit WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.
In separate business Thursday, commissioners approved requests from County Engineer Wayne Scritchfield to bid geotechnical engineering services for four county bridge locations and to send a notice to vendors for steel bridge decking bids. Commissioners approved both requests unanimously, as well as a request authorizing Scritchfield and Assistant County Engineer Jim Brull to attend the 2026 National Association of County Engineers (NACE) Annual Conference on April 12-15, 2026, in Arlington, Texas.
Two executive sessions for non-elected personnel matters also took place. The Lyon County Commission will reconvene for its regular meeting next Thursday at 9 am inside the Lyon County Courthouse Commission Chambers.
