NATCHEZ — The process for ordering wreaths to participate in the Wreaths Across American program is different this year.

Coordinator J.R. Wiley said the program is important to many in the community, and he wanted to make sure they knew they could participate, the steps will just be different than usual.

“The Christmas season is a time that you want to share with your family, even if they are no longer here with us,” Wiley said. “For families with military members, Wreaths Across America is a good way to honor and share the Christmas spirit with family members.”

Wreaths are $15 each and the event is scheduled for Dec. 16.

The Natchez National Cemetery has approximately 8,000 gravesites. Typically the community is able to cover 1,500 gravesites with wreaths, but last year due to donations being down, only approximately 1,000 wreaths were placed. Wiley said he hopes to get those numbers up.

Wreaths can be ordered online, by telephone or by mail directly through the Wreaths Across America organization.

Two options to order wreaths online exist, one in donating to the Mississippi-Louisiana Veterans Coalition and the other directly through the cemetery without donating to the MLVC.

The MLVC page is located at: https://donate.wreathsacrossamerica.org/?pageId=29534&relatedIds=16226

The Natchez National Cemetery website is located at: https://donate.wreathsacrossamerica.org/?pageId=16226&relatedIds=0

To order through either web site, scroll down and click the red sponsor a wreath button.

The online ordering cutoff date is Nov. 27.

To order by phone, call 877-385-9504 and at the voice prompt press 5 for a customer service representative to take your order. The code for the Miss-Lou veterans coalition is MS0024 and the code for the cemetery is MSNNCN.

If you wish to order by mail, forms are available at the Natchez National Cemetery. Mail checks to Wreaths Across America, 4 Point St., Columbia Falls, ME, 04623. Enter either code MS0024 or MSNNCN on the order form and in the memo section of the check.

All order options allow for specific gravesite requests.

If you order a wreath for a specific gravesite, Wiley asks you email a copy of the receipt to mlvc-wreaths@wile-wood.com or take a copy to the Natchez National Cemetery so a name specific list could be developed for announcement at the ceremony at the cemetery.

The ceremony will be at 11 a.m. Dec. 16.

Wiley said volunteers are also needed to assist in the placement of the wreaths.

For more information, contact Wiley at 407-230-2724.