Saturday, August 28, 2010

Hundreds of people came together Saturday at The Chelsea Cemetery north of El Dorado to help repair headstones and rebuild memories after vandals did more than $90,000 in damage to the property earlier this year.

Saturday's cleanup event was organized by several people in the community including Dick Morris of Kirby-Morris Funeral Home and David Stackley the township trustee in Chelsea township. Both of them say they appreciate the turnout from all of the members of the community including two monument companies, the Elks Lodge and other organizations and individuals willing to donate their time.

Several volunteers have personal ties to the cemetery and came out to help repair and rebuild headstones belonging to members of their family. Carl Cooley came to upright a headstone belonging to his aunt and uncle. He says he is grateful for all of the other volunteers willing to spend their Saturday cleaning up because without them, he and his family were not sure how they were going to be able to fix the damaged grave sight.

As for the vandals who damaged the cemetery sometime before Memorial Day this year, they are still at large. While there is a reward being offered by Mr. Morris, he says he is focusing now on making sure vandalism never happens again in this cemetery.

If you have any information regarding The Chelsea Cemetery vandalism you are asked to call the Butler County Sheriff's Department. That number is 316-320-1294.