Maj. Sean Johnson has received a flood of phone calls from folks wishing to donate to Wreaths Across America in the last week. So many, in fact, that he has had to turn off his cell phone and let people listen to the recorded message about the program that places Christmas wreaths on the headstones at veterans cemeteries.

Johnson, the commander of the Bismarck squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, said donations need to be to him by Wednesday so he can get everything together and order the wreaths in time for a Dec. 13 celebration at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

By Friday afternoon, the CAP had raised around $9,500 for the wreaths, but Johnson thinks that number might be deceiving. The CAP needs $57,000 to put a wreath on every headstone at the cemetery. He isn't too worried.

"I think we're going to see a crescendo," he said.

MDU Resources Foundation, the philanthropic arm of MDU Resources Group, put up $1,500 at the beginning of the fundraising campaign and challenged other businesses to do the same. Basin Electric met the challenge, Johnson said.

Sponsoring a single wreath costs $15.

The wreaths will be placed on the headstones following an 11 a.m. ceremony on Dec. 13, which coincides with similar ceremonies across the country at veterans cemeteries.

Johnson said he will be doing a live radio remote from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday at Cash Wise Foods, 1144 E. Bismarck Expressway. People can stop by and drop off donations.

Anyone interested in donating can call Johnson's cell phone, 391-5326, and listen to the recording of frequently asked questions about donating to Wreaths Across America.

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael.) @bismarcktribune.com