Contributed
Four organizations each received checks for $736.25 as part of the Unionport Chapter No. 360 Order of the Eastern Star’s sponsorship of Wreaths Across America observances held in December at six cemeteries in Jefferson County that were first-time registrants in 2020. Those cemeteries were Pine Run, Unionport, Bloomingdale, Shaffer Cemetery in McIntyre and Mount Moriah Cemetery in Wayne Township and East Springfield Cemetery in Salem Township. Because the OES chapter was a sponsoring fundraising chapter, it received $5 back from each wreath sold with the funds to benefit another cause, according to LeAnn Gibbons, worthy matron of the Unionport Chapter. Gibbons presented a check to James Bruder, chairman of the board, Friends of the Pittsburgh Fisher House, a place for families with veterans in the hospital to stay, free of charge. Pictured is a check presentation for Shriners Hospital van upkeep that involved, from left, OES Chapter Secretary Audrey Rainsberger, Worth
Bloomingdale Mayor Dave Gaffney, right, was master of ceremonies at Bloomingdale Cemetery. Contributed
UNIONPORT While there were a number of area cemeteries among the locations for Wreaths Across America ceremonies, five cemeteries in Wayne Township and one in Salem Township were first-time participants on Dec. 19.
“Our communities had a beautiful day with a lot of volunteers,” commented Le’Ann Gibbons, worthy matron of Unionport Chapter No. 360 Order of the Eastern Star, who coordinated the effort to have several cemeteries registered as WAA locations and ceremonies conducted there.
“This year we were asked to become more involved in our communities,” Gibbons said of how the OES got involved in the effort that began earlier this year. “As incoming worthy matron, I asked the chapter if I could start my project early. I had picked Wreaths Across America and wanted to start with three wreaths in the cemetery at Unionport. That cemetery is where our lodge is located