Wreaths Across America & Mission BBQ Kick-Off 2025 American Heroes Cup Campaign
On 11/12/25, Wreaths Across American and MISSION BBQ announce the national kick-off of the American Heroes Cup campaign to raise funds to sponsor veterans’ wreaths to be placed on the headstones of our nation’s heroes during the 2026 National Wreaths Across America cerem0nies.
Starting 11/12/25 through the end of 2025, every American Heroes Cup purchased at any Mission BBQ location for $4.99, $2 will be donated to Wreaths Across American to sponsor veterans’ wreaths for placement in December 2026.
Last year, MISSION BBQ customers raised $352,930 sponsoring the placement of more than 20,760 veterans’ wreaths in memory of our nation’s service-members. These wreaths will be placed locally, at Lutz Cemetery, on National Wreaths Across America Day – Saturday, December 13, 2025.
This year’s theme is “keep Moving Forward” encouraging us to carry the stories and sacrifices of our nations service-members with us as we continue to serve, according to Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America.
Bill Kraus and Steve Newton opened the first Mission BBQ restaurant in a Baltimore MD suburb in 2011 on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. They sought to Serve, Honor, and Thank American heroes for their sacrifices and service by donating a significant portion of the restaurant’s profits to the community’s military nonprofit groups and charity organizations supporting police officers and firefighters.
“Our nations veterans have stood on the line and taken the oath. They have risked all that a person can to defend and protect our country,” said Steve Netwon, co-founder of MISSION BBQ.”
Talking about our local partnership, Mission BBQ Community Ambassador Brandi Walstrom emphasized, “Every Christmas season MISSION BBQ Honors Our Fallen Heroes by supporting Wreaths Across America with the sale of the Wreaths Across America American Hero Cups. $2 from the sale of each cup will be placed in a fund by WAA HQ in Maine. The fund will be used to purchase wreaths the following year for each local cemetery we are supporting. Our store in Land O Lakes supports the Lutz Cemetery. Last year we were able to raise over $1900 to purchase wreaths for the Lutz Cemetery this year.”
According to Lutz Cemetery Operations Manager, Toni Hedstrom, “Lutz Cemetery is proud to be designated as an official Wreaths Across America Cemetery allowing us to honor the 220 veterans laid to rest here.”
This is the 2nd year Lutz Cemetery will honor our veterans with wreaths from Wreaths Across America. Right click here for event details: Wreaths Across America at Lutz Cemetery
