It’s important to share the stories of our ancestors and do what can be done to keep their legacy alive.
That sentiment is what led to the idea of the inaugural Evergreen Cemetery Clean- Up Day and Picnic, hosted by the Evergreen Cemetery Board of Trustees.
The board, along with the City of Bushnell, invites resi- dents and anyone interested to help clean the cemetery grounds during a day of community and cake from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Bushnell Evergreen Cemetery, 503 E Noble Ave., in Bushnell.
“I have family at the ceme- tery and so do many other city employees,” Bushnell City Clerk Christina Dixon said. “It’s important for us to get together to keep the cemetery clean. Through efforts like this, we create close community bonds.”
The event will start with volunteers raking leaves and picking up trash. Though trash bags and garbage cans will be provided, guests are asked to bring gloves and rakes.
Local groups will join city staff and board members with the clean-up effort. The Dade’s Youth, a teen outreach program run by the Dade Battlefield Historic Park Society, will help clean the pet cemetery.
“I think it will help teach them how to be involved in your community and help Them become more educated about the history of the city,” Assistant City Manager Morgan Wilson.
After the cleaning is done, volunteers will have a chicken stories of our ancestors and do and rice lunch at noon. Tickets for this part of the event are $10 and can be bought in advance at Bushnell City Hall, 117 E Joe P. Strickland Jr. Ave., in Bushnell, until the day of the event.
There will be a cake and a chance drawing at 1 p.m. where guests can place a bid to take home a cake that was donated for the event.
All proceeds and dona- tions from the event will help support the cemetery’s maintenance. The city spends about $30,000 a year to clean the cemetery, according to Wilson.
“This will create a day of fellowship,” Dixon said. “Our goal is to create a relationship and bond with families and community of the loved ones who have gone before us. We also want to ensure the needs of the Bushnell Evergreen Cemetery grounds are always met and remain inviting for those who come to visit.”
For more information about the event, visit cityofbushnellfl.com
