AUSTIN, Texas — Wreaths Across America is an organization that coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at veterans' graves in nearly 2,000 locations in the U.S. and around the world.

Boy goes door-to-door asking for donations

He’s raised $3,500 this year

He admires U.S. armed forces

One pint-sized fundraiser is determined to be a big help to its effort in Austin. 8-year-old Remmer Machamer is on a mission.

“Hello, my name is Remmer and I am raising money for Wreaths Across America to honor the soldiers," says Remmer, in his frequently-used speech. "I want to make sure Austin has enough wreaths, would you like to donate?"

For the past four weeks, Remmer has been going door-to-door in different neighborhoods around Austin, to ask for donations for Wreaths Across America.

Remmer says he got involved in 2018 after learning that the Austin branch of the group hadn’t raised enough money the previous year to put wreaths on all of the veterans graves they had planned.

“He expressed concern that, 'Why weren’t 300 graves able to have a wreath?' So my wife explained that they didn’t earn enough money," said Dan Machamer, Remmer's dad.

“So then I got a bit serious with it," said Remmer. "Then I actually did write a speech, then I went door to door asking for donations.”

“Last year he raised just over $2,000, and this year he’s raised $3,500," said Remmer's dad, who attributes those fundraising achievements to his son's admiration for our armed forces. “A lot of it truly is just Remmer’s personality, since he was a young kid and knew about military he would often salute someone that was in their fatigues at an airport or go and thank them for their service.”

Remmer’s mission is the same as Wreath Across America's: to honor our veterans.

On December 14, the Austin branch of Wreaths Across America hopes to lay more than 3,000 wreaths on the graves of Texas veterans at the Texas State Cemetery.

The group has not yet reached its fundraising goal to cover the cost of all the wreaths, but Remmer is still optimistic.

“I’m just a bit worried, but I’m also a bit positive that we still can do it," said Remmer, who's not done with his mission, just yet.

“As much as I am proud of him, I'm also appreciative of the community that's supporting him because without their support this wouldn't be possible," said Remmer's dad.

“Every soldier needs to be remembered for what they’ve done — risked their lives for us," said Remmer. "I don't try to get one wreath for one specific soldier, I just want to do it for every soldier."