Saving Forgotten Cemeteries

The goal of Westside Cemetery Preservation Association is to restore the forgotten cemeteries of the parish. These old cemeteries are remnants of the early sugar plantations and they sit neglected and overgrown in the middle of sugar cane fields. Just as in life, these souls pass from one owner to another through land sales, donations, and transfers and their perpetual care has not been provided. We have been able to identify 10 of these cemeteries that ae endangered and need to be preserved before they erode away with time. Not only does our project include restoration we are also working diligently to document the many interments and tell the stories of the souls buried in these cemeteries so that this history can be preserved. We are ready to get busy with the restorations, but need some startup funding. Our immediate needs:
$400 to cover the cost of obtaining a 501(C)3 status, $300 to purchase hand tools, weed killer, spray bottles, paint and supplies
$500 to create a website to make all of the information available to researchers.
Please help us pay respect to the souls buried in these cemeteries by restoring their final resting place and sharing their stories.

Follow us on Facebook @WestsideCemeteryPreservationAssociation.

http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/communities/westside/article_7f0fd2e8-e966-11e6-91bd-7b5708a1dc45.html?sr_source=lift_amplify

http://www.thewestsidejournal.com/preserving-the-past/