Cemeteries seek volunteers for annual cleanup day
The state Department of State announced Thursday, April 3, that the second annual 'Caring for Your Cemetery Day' is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, encouraging the public to help clean up local cemeteries to prepare for spring and Mother's Day visits.
According to a news release, the department and participating cemeteries also seek to recruit future volunteers or even officers and trustees/directors and identify local people with skills that cemeteries need through the program.
The program aims to generate interest in local cemeteries, especially among younger people, and raise awareness of the hard work and dedication that goes into cemeteries' care, maintenance and preservation. Last year, more than two dozen cemeteries participated in the first annual event, and this year more than 75 cemeteries will participate.
'New York's cemeteries are home to so much of our state's history and culture, and it's critical that we collectively work to preserve and care for these treasured, but often overlooked, community assets,' Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said in a statement. 'I encourage all New Yorkers to take this opportunity to volunteer at your local cemetery and help future generations learn to appreciate the history, culture and unique stories our cemeteries have to offer.'
Clean-up day tasks may include:
* Cleaning up small debris and trash
* Removing downed branches, weeds, and overgrowth
* Removing old seasonal decorations
* Planting flowers
* Scattering grass seed
* Other light tasks appropriate for untrained volunteers
The mission of the department's Division of Cemeteries is to help ensure that regulated cemeteries do not become a burden on their communities by continuing to operate on a not-for-profit basis, the release stated. The division regulates about 1,700 not-for-profit cemeteries in New York by, among other things, providing technical assistance in cemetery operations and financial accounting. The division also offers training workshops year-round to educate cemetery operators and other interested individuals on how to maintain cemeteries, keep financial records and try to ensure long-term viability.
Participating local cemeteries include:
* North Afton Rural Cemetery in Afton, contact Earla Mulwane, mulwanee@tds.net
* Richmondville Rural Cemetery in Richmondville, contact Jeffrey Haslun, cjhaslun@gmail.com
* Fly Creek Valley Cemetery in Otsego, contact Christine Olsen, 607-434-9499.
* Maple Grove Cemetery in Worcester, contact Michelle Empie at maplegrovecem12197@gmail.com
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