Harrison County cemeteries in need of donations for maintenance
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. But with a lack of income, the future of some of Harrison County's biggest cemeteries is at stake.
Shaun Jedju, founder and president of the Historic Clarksburg WV Cemetery Preservation Alliance (HCWVCPA), is having trouble obtaining funding to mow grass and maintain its five cemetery locations.
The HCWVCPA has acquired all of its properties through donations, with its most recent being Elkview Masonic Cemetery, which has 12 acres of land and Greenlawn Masonic Cemetery, which has 18 acres.
In 2024, Jedju said that it cost about $5,000 every two weeks to maintain these two cemeteries alone. This was through a subcontracted company, as Jedju found this process to be the best for consistency and reliability since the nonprofit cannot afford to hire its own staff.
Jedju spoke with 12 News on how common this issue is throughout the region.
'This is not just a Clarksburg-Harrison County issue. This happens to be a statewide issue as far as distressed cemeteries go. Distressed meaning cemeteries that run out of PF, perpetual care funds, and are stuck trying their best to raise and maintain,' Jedju said.
Elderly and disabled residents trapped without functioning elevator in Clarksburg apartment building
Aside from mowing costs, HCWVCPA has encountered damage to the roof of the mausoleum at Elkview Masonic Cemetery as the winds have torn off the rubber roof several times, though the most recent damage has left the roof unsalvageable.
Despite the volunteers for labor on the roof repair, material costs are estimated at about $20,000.
Jedju also said that notable historical figures are buried in these cemeteries, including those of Elkview Masonic Cemetery being Melville Davisson Post, author of Uncle Abner: Master of Mysteries, Louis Authur Johnson, a politician who served as the second United States Secretary of Defense from 1949 to 1950 and Howard Mason Gore, a politician who served as the 8th secretary of agriculture under the Calvin Coolidge administration.
'This year we're struggling, and Elkview has only been mowed once, and Greenlawn has only been mowed once. I did put out a Facebook post […] imploring people to help volunteer since donations aren't coming in,' Jedju said to 12 News on his efforts of outreach.
The HCWVCPA has also applied for grants from over 100 different charitable organizations. However, Jedju said the nonprofit has been denied by 60% of fellow organizations and has only received funding from about 5%.
Jedju has also tried advocating the issue to legislators, but has received no aid.
You can donate to the HCWVCPA at its website or you can mail donations to 409 Haymond Highway, Clarksburg, WV 26301. You can also deliver funds in person at the cemetery office at 410 Limestone Run Road.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Greater Birmingham Humane Society reaches capacity, waives adoption fees
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The Greater Birmingham Humane Society shelter is at capacity, and they need your help to save the lives of dogs and cats. 'Definitely if they've been thinking about adopting a pet, this is the time to adopt. If they're at all interested in fostering a pet, this is absolutely the time to foster,' said Ivana Sullivan, the Chief Program Officer for the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. On Friday and Saturday, GBHS is waiving adoption fees at all their locations in hopes of finding homes for the dozens of animals they are sheltering. The only fee that will need to be paid is the $10 micro chip fee. This week the CEO of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, Allison Black Cornelius took to Facebook with an urgent plea: 'We are in a crisis here at GBHS, a major crisis, we're full, we're beyond full, and animals like Rex need a home,' she explained. Birmingham Botanical Gardens hosting 2025 Fern Expo To listen to her entire statement, click here. Ivana Sullivan, the Chief Program Officer, talked about what led to this situation: 'We've got lots of folks trying to surrender their pets, we've got lots and lots of strays in Jefferson County that are coming into the shelter for their stray holds and so we just only have so many kennels.' In her Facebook post, Cornelius mentioned that they have not had to euthanize for space in a long time, but they're having to do so now. 'It's very devastating,' Sullivan remarked when asked about this 'because you get to a point where there's just no where to put these animals.' The state of Alabama does not require pets be spayed or neutered. Sullivan said that needs to change: 'There definitely needs to be some sort of mandatory solution to this so this can stop, animals in the shelter is just not the solution, we've got to do better.' GBHS is also in need of folks to foster pets and food for dogs and cats, including wet cat food for kittens. For more information, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Auburn Sustenance Project feeds hundreds of hungry K-12 students
AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) – When school lets out in Auburn, hunger sets in. While most families are planning vacations or sleeping in, hundreds of Auburn City School children are quietly going without meals—because when the cafeteria closes, so does their only reliable source of food. It's a crisis most people don't see. And in a city like Auburn, many don't even realize it's happening. In Auburn, one small act of kindness is growing into something much bigger. The Auburn Sustenance Project began with a question. 'And a student asked, 'Hey, what happens during school breaks in Auburn city?'' said Dr. Caroline Payne-Purvis, faculty advisor for the Auburn Sustenance Project. 'We had just moved here. COVID was wrapping up sort of and so the question was becoming, what's happening normally? There was some, but very little. And so they decided they wanted to adopt a few families for that Thanksgiving.' What began as a class project feeding a few families over Thanksgiving has grown into a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit now serving hundreds of local children during all breaks from school, including holidays. 'We fed over 250 kids this time,' Payne-Purvis said. 'Our highest summer numbers are usually about 150.' Now, the need is greater than ever—and so is the call for volunteers. 'The project welcomes anyone,' said Katie White, a member of the Auburn Sustenance Project. 'You don't realize how impactful something can be. I feel like people don't think you can do it yourself, and people don't think that Auburn is in need. But the need is great. And the impact, organizers say, is real. 'From the high school senior who is taking care of her younger siblings now because she was able to get them out of foster care,' Payne-Purvis said, 'to the mom who was able to get out of, you know, rough situations because she was able to get food and be able to put the down payment on a deposit for a rent.' White added: 'Because I know we're not the final answer, but we might be like a little band aid to help them get through a hard time.' Their next food packing and distribution event is scheduled for June 18 at First Baptist Church of Auburn. Packing begins at 1 p.m. and distribution runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Volunteers of all ages are welcome, and no sign-up is required. To donate, volunteer, or learn more, visit the Auburn Sustenance Project on Facebook. Monetary donations can also be made via Venmo @AuburnSustenanceProject. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
13 hours ago
- Newsweek
Neighbors Find Dog Tied Up to a Tree, by Evening 'They Knew' the Truth
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Neighbors who found a dog tied up to a tree one morning knew the unspeakable truth had happened: someone had abandoned him. A June 4 Facebook post by the Stray Rescue of St. Louis, an organization dedicated to rescuing and healing stray animals, shared that the neighbors first saw the large dog in the morning. When no one returned for him in the afternoon, they left out a bowl of water, and by evening, "they knew" his owner would not be returning. That's when Stray Rescue of St. Louis stepped in. The video shows the rescue organization slowly approaching the dog, who is now named Beans. He stared at the woman sternly. But his one ear pointed up, showing his curiosity and hopefulness that he would no longer be tied to the tree. His entire demeanor changed once he hopped into the car; a smile spread and his tongue stuck out, embracing his freedom ride. His tail wagged with excitement for the future. Natalie Thomson, chief communications officer for Stray Rescue of St. Louis, told Newsweek via email that he was found on June 1. Despite what he's been through, which remains unknown, he "has been doing great." "Our shelter is super full, so he's been in a crate all week because we're overfull," she said. "But he is soooo sweet! He's ready for adoption or foster!" Screenshot from a June 4 Facebook video of a rescue organization responding to a call to help a dog tied to a tree in a St. Louis neighborhood. Screenshot from a June 4 Facebook video of a rescue organization responding to a call to help a dog tied to a tree in a St. Louis neighborhood. Stray Rescue of St. Louis/Facebook For those interested in adopting Beans, or another available animal, visit the rescue's website for information and to begin an application. As of Friday, the video amassed over 14,000 likes and 900 comments. Facebook users collectively breathed a sigh of relief, knowing Beans was in good hands with Stray Rescue of St. Louis, hopeful his forever family will come soon. "He went from boofing at you from the tree, to being the biggest smiley Boi in the car," pointed out one viewer. A second added: "You are just a heartless shell of a person to just tie up your dog and walk away. Your loss will be someone else's gain! Thankful he landed with good people until he gets his own new family." Another person commented: "Poor sweet baby. So glad you got to him before any more harm came to him." Photos of Beans, a dog tied up to a tree and abandoned before getting rescued by Stray Rescue of St. Louis on June 1. Photos of Beans, a dog tied up to a tree and abandoned before getting rescued by Stray Rescue of St. Louis on June 1. Courtesy of Stray Rescue of St. Louis Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
