Every Christmas season, members of civic, military and patriotic organizations volunteer to lay wreaths on the gravesites of heroes at more than 2,500 locations across the U.S. and abroad.

This is conducted in coordination with wreath-laying ceremonies in Arlington National Cemetery.

The mission: To remember, honor and teach.

The Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit national tour will be at Newby-ginnings of North Idaho from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 20. Newby-ginnings is a nonprofit that provides basic necessities and household goods to veterans and active military and their families at no cost.

"I'm super excited and honored that the Wreaths Across America exhibit will be at Newby-ginnings this year," Newby-ginnings founder and executive director Theresa Hart said Wednesday. "I'm also very much looking forward to touring it as well. Every year I participate in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Memorial Gardens in Coeur d'Alene with Kathy Bush and Kiwanis Club of Coeur d'Alene, so it will be nice to learn about the history."

The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Wreaths Across America executive director Karen Worcester said the goal of the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit is to bring the community together and teach patriotism while remembering the service and sacrifice of America's heroes.

"Over the last two years, we feel this exhibit has taken on even more meaning by providing the opportunity for people to safely participate in something that is both educational and inspiring, while supporting and giving back to the communities it visits," Worcester said.

The mobile education exhibit achieves this goal through interactive exhibits, short films and shared stories. The exhibit serves as a mobile museum that educates visitors about the sacrifice of America's servicemen and servicewomen.

All are invited and encouraged to visit, tour and speak with Wreaths Across America representatives and volunteers. Visitors will learn about the national nonprofit and the work its volunteers do to support American heroes and their communities year-round.

Wreaths Across America is the nonprofit best known for placing wreaths on veterans' headstones at Arlington National Cemetery. In 2021, the organization placed more than 2.4 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths at more than 3,100 participating locations nationwide.

The mobile exhibit tour in North Idaho is being sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution Lt. George Farragut Chapter.

"Wreath-laying ceremonies are held annually on the second or third Saturday in December," event coordinator and DAR member Jane Robertson said. "Most area residents learn about Wreath Day the day after, when they read the article and see the pictures in the press. Now is their chance to find out about Wreaths Across America and their mission to remember our fallen U.S. veterans, honor those who serve and teach our children the values of freedom. They can also join in this year's wreath ceremonies on Dec. 17 by sponsoring a wreath on July 20."

Visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org any time to sponsor a wreath for $15. Each sponsorship goes toward a live balsam wreath that will be placed on the headstone of an American hero at 9 a.m., on Dec. 17 as part of National Wreaths Across America Day in honor of all veterans laid to rest.

Newby-ginnings is at at 570 S. Clearwater Loop, Post Falls.