Gambell and squad place over 600 wreaths to honor veterans

            When Pekin’s Maci Gambell learned about the opportunities that Wreaths Across America would provide for her FCCLA STAR project, she set her sights high on one major goal: to lay a wreath on approximately 600 veteran’s graves in the area to honor their service to our country.

It was a lofty goal, and the high school senior knew this when she began her venture in October. It was the first time for Gambell, or anyone, to attempt anything remotely like this in Keokuk County. Expectations were set at around 300 wreaths from then on. Even if she were able to have enough wreaths purchased, the Hedrick native and Pekin basketball star would need help laying them at the six area cemeteries on “Wreath-Laying Day” on Saturday, Dec. 16.

Fortunately, Gambell got the assist she needed from her teammates and FCCLA to not only help lay the wreaths across cemeteries from Richland to Hedrick, but also score major promotion across the southern half of the county to hit the buzzer-beater to the ultimate goal of placing a wreath on every veteran’s grave, more than 600 in total.  

“I am extremely excited that I was able to reach my goal and collect enough wreaths to cover ever Veteran's gave, but I also am very thankful for all the amazing support that I have had throughout this whole process,” Gambell said.  “Without the support and donations from my community, I would have never have been able to have meet my goal.”

Please view the December 20 edition of The News-Review for the full story.