PGMS Needs Volunteers for Odd Fellows Cemetery Restoration

By Staff

The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) North Carolina Branch is hosting an outreach project at the Odd Fellows Cemetery, a landmark African-American cemetery that has fallen into disrepair due to neglect and past abuse. According to the PGMS the project goals are to do general cleanup over much of the 13 acre site and to completely restore a one acre portion of the grounds. The NC Branch envisions making this a multi-year event.

The first clean-up event will be held on February 22, 2014 (rain date will be the following Saturday, March 1, 2014) at 10am. Work will continue until 3 pm or project completion, whichever comes first. Lunch will be provided.

Volunteers will be doing a variety of tasks including such as picking up litter, removing and loading brush and wood, using wheel barrows, shoveling, raking, sowing grass, spreading straw and removing English Ivy from the base of trees. There will be work from light to heavy to accommodate most strength and skill levels. However, the terrain is uneven with tripping hazards, brush and debris. Those wishing to participate should take this into account. Jeans or heavy work pants, long-sleeved shirt, work gloves and boots (if you have them) would be appropriate attire. As February weather in North Carolina can be quite fickle, volunteers are encouraged to dress accordingly. Due to the heavy equipment that will be in use and the nature of the site we ask that those under age 14 not attend. They need volunteers are needed for this project.

If you would like to volunteer please click here to e-mail Chairman David Davis: davis at wfu.edu, please put in the subject line in capital letters “I want to volunteer for the Odd Fellows project.”

If you are interested in joining this project as a partner or if you would like to send a donation, please click here e-mail David Davis:  davis at wfu.edu- please put in the subject line in capital letters “I want to partner for the Odd Fellows project.”

Some local partners and volunteers include:

Bloomday Granite and Marble
Carolina Disposal Service Inc
Cutting Edge
Ellen Basset
Frank L. Blum Construction Company
G L Hutchens Sand & Stone
Keep Winston Salem Beautiful
Larmore Landscape Associates
LTD Farm and Garden & Clemmons Milling
Lusk Tree Service
Mid-South Irrigation
NC School of the Arts
PGMS NC Branch
Piedmont Rent-A-Jon
Reynolda Nursery & Landscaping Supplies
Riverside Farm and Garden Supply
Shouse Nursery
Sunbelt Rentals
The Home Depot
Tommy’s Stump Removal
Village Tavern
Wake Forest University Athletic Department
Wake Forest University Volunteer Service Corps
Wake Forest University Sustainability Department
Winston Salem State University Volunteer Service Corps

The Cemetery is located at 2881 Shorefair Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27105. Parking is available in the large parking lot directly west of the Cemetery.

You can read more about the historic Odd-Fellows Cemetery HERE.