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Penny Cemetery Fund announces Evergreen Cemetery clean-up
The Penny Cemetery Fund, an attempt to bring new sources of volunteers and funding to the reclamation of Evergreen Cemetery, is organizing a “a huge volunteer clean-up day” on Saturday, October 31st. The goal to is to clear one acre.
“The Penny Cemetery Fund”, a charitable foundation, was created, to restore Evergreen Cemetery, a historic Black cemetery, in Richmond’s east end. Although listed on the State & National registers of historic places this privately owned cemetery has been abandoned for years and is returning to forest.
The Foundation is organizing a huge volunteer clean-up day on Saturday, October 31st. Our goal on the volunteer day is to clear one acre back to the graves of Richmond notables Maggie Walker, John Mitchell, Jr., and Rev.J. Andrew Bowler in honor of them.
Contact Deanna Lewis at deanna@pennycemeteryfund.org for more information about the clean-up or the Penny Cemetery Fund.
A Families and Friends group on Yahoo has been the organizing point for a handful of volunteers that have been working doggedly to clean and maintain portions of the privately-owned cemetery.
The dilapidated state of Evergreen Cemetery made the RTD back in early August following the sad stories out of Chicago’s Burr Oak Cemetery.
http://www.pennycemeteryfund.org
We are looking at a time frame of 8:00am to 4:00pm. You can participate for a few hours or all day if you can. Those that cannot participate physically are welcome to participate in spirit to cheer on the volunteers
We have major equipment used by the landscapers for the big stuff. Volunteers will be needed to weed-wack, rake, clip and pull vines and delicately remove the growth around the tombstones.
Afterwards, the goal of the foundation is for the landscaping firm contracted for the project (M.C. Hernandez Landscaping) will work throughout the winter to clear and sculpt the 90+ acres and restore it to a beautiful place to visit by springtime.
Sorry to delay it a week. The landscaping company is delayed in Tenessee finishing a big project. They wanted to return for the volunteer day but would the have had to turn around and head right back. Too much to ask as it would have cost them time and a great deal of $$$.
The additional week gives us more time to gather additional volunteers! If you, your company or Church Group would like to join us on Saturday Nov. 7th please email me at deanna@pennycemeteryfund.org
http://www.pennycemeteryfund.org
I would like to volunteer so of my time. I moved to Richmond va five years ago i was told that my mother is in that cemetery some were i went looking for her but the way it is you can’t find your love ons at all.I can help you as well as you can help me my # is 525-6413(home) or 646-320-5111 (cell)
Hi Bridgette,
I’ll give you a call later. We’ll see if we can find your mom together. Please join us this Saturday if you have the time. We’ll be starting where we left off last week and uncover the stones that are buried under the dirt, leaves and vines.
EVERYONE is welcome to join us. If you can come here are the details:
Saturday, Nov 14th, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
What to bring:
Weed wacker (gas powered)
Heavy duty steel rakes
Shovels
Leaf blower
Hedge clippers
Gloves
Dress WARM! Wear sturdy boots/shoes
deanna@pennycemeteryfund.org to RSVP