COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine and LOUISVILLE, Oct. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wreaths Across America (WAA) and the Woody Williams Foundation (WWF) announced today a new national partnership designed to expand opportunities to support Gold Star Families, veterans, service members and military families through collaborative programs, education, outreach and community engagement.

The organizations formalized the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding signed Saturday, Sept. 12, immediately following the dedication of Maine’s first Woody Williams Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at the Balsam Valley Tip Lands in Columbia Falls, Maine.

The monument dedication and new partnership honor the legacy of U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Hershel “Woody” Williams, a Medal of Honor recipient for his heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. Williams founded the Woody Williams Foundation in 2010 and devoted the later years of his life to recognizing and serving Gold Star Families.

“Woody Williams was an American hero, not only because of what he did on the battlefield, but because of how he chose to spend the rest of his life serving others,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of WAA. “Our missions share a deep commitment to remembering those who gave their lives for our freedom and supporting the families who carry their legacy forward. Our recent monument dedication was an incredibly meaningful milestone for our family and our organization, and signing this agreement immediately afterward felt like a fitting way to ensure that this work continues well beyond that day.”

Through the new partnership, the organizations will work together to create additional opportunities for communities nationwide to remember the fallen, support Gold Star Families and teach younger generations about service and sacrifice.

A key component of the agreement connects WWF affiliate committees with WAA’s Sponsorship Group Program. Participating WWF committees may register as WAA “payback groups,” earning $5 for every $17 sponsorship made through their group. Those funds can then help support the local outreach programs and events these affiliates conduct in their communities. In turn, each sponsorship also supports the placement of a veteran’s wreath through WAA and supports the many free, year-round programs the organization offers—providing donors an opportunity to “do good twice.”

The organizations will also collaborate on educational programming for young people and expand awareness of each other’s missions through national and grassroots communications, events and volunteer networks.

“Woody’s greatest wish was for all of us to continue his mission to honor, recognize, and serve the families who carry the legacy forward of loved ones that paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” said Tim Schumacher, President and CEO of The Woody Williams Foundation. “Woody truly believed that ‘the Cause is Greater than I’ and we must give back to each other and love our country. This monument and partnership serve as symbols of unwavering commitment to the mission and will shape future generations to ensure the sacrifice of so many will never be forgotten.”

The Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, dedicated Saturday, Sept. 12, is part of the Woody Williams Foundation’s national effort to establish permanent memorials recognizing Gold Star Families in communities across the country. The two-sided black granite monuments honor the families and relatives of service members who made the ultimate sacrifice and reflect the Foundation’s pillars of Homeland, Family, Patriot, Sacrifice and Legacy.

For WAA, the partnership is also a natural extension of its year-round mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom.

“This is about building connections between people who already care deeply about remembering and honoring our nation’s heroes,” Worcester added. “When we bring those communities together, we can do more for Gold Star Families, more for veterans and more to ensure the next generation understands the true cost of freedom. That is where I believe this partnership can have a lasting impact.”

The Memorandum of Understanding establishes an initial three-year framework for collaboration between WAA and the WWF, while allowing the organizations to pursue additional opportunities that support their shared missions.

# # #

About The Woody Williams Foundation
The Woody Williams Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that pursues specific endeavors and goals through the vision of Medal of Honor Recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams. The Foundation encourages, with the assistance of the American public and community leaders, establishing permanent Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments in communities throughout the United States, conducting Gold Star Families Outreach across the country, and providing Living Legacy scholarships to eligible Gold Star Family members.

For more information or to support our efforts, visit www.woodywilliams.org.

About Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to remembering the fallen, honoring those who serve, and teaching the next generation the value of freedom. Each year, the organization coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at thousands of participating locations in all 50 states and beyond, while carrying out its mission through year-round programs, education, and community outreach. 

For more information or to sponsor a wreath, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Media contacts:
Valerie Way, valerie.way@woodywilliams.org | contact@woodywilliams.org
Nardi Media, WAA@Nardimedia.com | PR@wreathsacrossamerica.org

B-roll, high-res photography, and remote interviews with WAA leadership and Gold Star Families are available by request. Additional assets are available at the Media Resources Page.

Attachment 


Amber Caron
Wreaths Across America
2075136457
acaron@wreathsacrossamerica.org

Media gallery

About The Author
Wreaths Across America