Ohio's industry associations to host 25th annual Grateful Embrace

The Ohio Lawn Care Association (OLCA), along with the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association (ONLA) and the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation (OTF), will participate in the 25^th Annual Grateful Embrace, a community-service program to winterize the grounds of two of Ohio’s veterans' cemeteries the morning of Saturday, Nov. 10.

In 1994, OLCA began the project to beautify the memorial grounds at Dayton National Cemetery and then in 2010, expanded the project to include the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman. OLCA members annually contribute fertilizer, tools, resources and time to gift the cemetery and honor the veterans who rest there. 

"The Grateful Embrace is our industry's way of giving back to those who gave all," said OLCA President Aaron Bucci. "It is due to the generosity of our members' time and products that make this event possible."

Nearly 100 lawn care and landscape professionals are expected to participate during the 2018 Grateful Embrace at both locations. Over the past 25 years, the sponsoring associations have contributed more than $25,000 of fertilizer, mulch and labor to this project. Invited speakers who will kickoff the event at each location include members of the Ohio General Assembly, leadership from the sponsoring association and representatives from the cemeteries.

The annual Grateful Embrace will be held on Nov. 10 in Rittman at the Ohio Western Reserve Cemetery located at 10175 Rawiga Road, Seville, OH  44270 and in Dayton at the Dayton National Veterans Cemetery located at 4400 W. 3^rd Street, Dayton, OH  45438.