COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine, and COLUMBIA, Md., Feb. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — National nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) today proudly accepted a donation of $359,567 from MISSION BBQ. This contribution was made possible thanks to the generosity of MISSION BBQ customers and their support of MISSION BBQ’s American Heroes Cups.
Today, MISSION BBQ co-founder Bill Kraus presented this donation to WAA’s executive director Karen Worcester during a special presentation in Columbia, Md., at the restaurant located at 6270 Columbia Crossing Circle. The donation will sponsor not only 21,151 veterans’ wreaths to remember our fallen U.S. service members laid to rest at 154 participating locations for placement on National Wreaths Across America Day – Saturday, December 19, 2026 – but also supports the year-round mission and free programs WAA offers.
“MISSION BBQ and its customers continue to show what it truly means to stand with our nation’s heroes,” said Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America. “This generous gift is more than a donation; it is a powerful act of remembrance that helps ensure every veteran’s service is honored and their legacy lives on for generations to come.”
WAA is best known for its annual wreath-laying ceremonies throughout the United States and beyond at more than 5,500 participating locations. However, the nonprofit’s yearlong mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom is carried out by millions of volunteers across the country through many community programs.
“At MISSION BBQ, we believe in giving back to those who gave so much to us. Through the generosity of our customers, we are proud to help Wreaths Across America continue its mission to Remember, Honor and Teach,” said Kraus.
American Heroes Cups are available year-round at $4.99, with $2 from every cup purchase donated to national military charities and local first responders. Customers are encouraged to return their American Heroes Cup during future visits to the restaurant and receive $1.49 refills. To find a MISSION BBQ location near you, visit https://mission-bbq.com/locations.
This year, Wreaths Across America Day will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2026. To find a location near you to support, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.
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About MISSION BBQ:
MISSION BBQ opened its doors for business on September 11, 2011, 10 years after the world changed. We believe there is nothing more American than BBQ. And nobody is more American than the brave men and women who have sworn to protect and serve Our Communities and Our Country. We do what we do for the love of our soldiers, firefighters, police officers, and first responders—all our loved ones in service. We set across this great land from Texas to Kansas City, the Carolinas to St. Louis…to discover the secrets of great BBQ. Every day, we strive to serve you authentic BBQ made from the freshest, most delectable ingredients and serve it in a patriotic dining room filled with tributes to those who’ve made Our Country great, given to us by the people who earned them. Please stop by at noon as we sing Our National Anthem. Everyday.
For more information about MISSION BBQ, visit https://mission-bbq.com
About Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, which was begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s yearlong mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out, in part, by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.
For more information or to sponsor a wreath, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.