[Durham INC] Volunteers Needed for Historic Geer Cemetery Cleanup on Saturday October 17th, 1-4 pm

[Dautlick, Tania]

[KDB Logos JPEG 859]
Keep Durham Beautiful Media Advisory
For Immediate Release: October 16, 2015

News Media Contact:
Tania Dautlick
Executive Director
Keep Durham Beautiful
919-672-6682
tania at keepdurhambeautiful.org<mailto:tania at keepdurhambeautiful.org>
www.keepdurhambeautiful.org<http://www.keepdurhambeautiful.org/>

Volunteers Needed for Historic Geer Cemetery Cleanup on Saturday October 17th
Keep Durham Beautiful teams with Friends of Geer Cemetery to lead volunteers in beautification project

What:              Volunteer Cleanup at Historic Geer Cemetery - Volunteers will collect litter and tree debris, remove vines, and protect the grave markers.
When:             Saturday, October 17, 2015 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Where:            800 Colonial Avenue, Durham, NC

Why: Geer Cemetery is a four-acre wooded Cemetery in East Durham and the resting place of many of the earliest generations of African Americans in Durham. No group claims ownership of the historic Durham cemetery which remains largely unmaintained and will benefit from the care that these volunteers will provide. Friends of Geer Cemetery formed in order to reveal its significant history and help advocate for this beautiful, rustic and historic public space in Durham. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the ratification of the 13th constitutional amendment abolishing slavery and an observance is planned later in the year at Geer Cemetery.

Who: The general public is invited to join Keep Durham Beautiful<http://keepdurhambeautiful.org/>, Friends of Geer Cemetery<http://www.friendsofgeer.com/>, City of Durham General Services<http://durhamnc.gov/733/General-Services>, and University of Tennessee-Knoxville student volunteers to help beautify the cemetery. Gloves, tools and water will be provided by Keep Durham Beautiful. The City of Durham Department of General Services will assist with debris removal.

Fast Facts:

*        Allen Dew of Durham Marble Works will present a short workshop at the cemetery on resetting and cleaning grave marker stones from 12:30-1:00 pm before the cleanup.

*        The Friends of Geer Cemetery<http://www.friendsofgeer.com/> plans to observe the 150th anniversary of the ratification of the 13th constitutional amendment abolishing slavery on December 4, 5 and 6 with the following events in Durham:

o   December 4, Wreath-laying ceremony at Geer Cemetery

o   December 5, 11 a.m. Libation ceremony at Stagville State Historic Site

o   December 6, 4 p.m. Honorable Judge Allyson K. Duncan, U.S. Circuit Court Judge 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals will be the Keynote Speaker at the Friends of Geer Cemetery commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution at White Rock Baptist Church

*        Friends of Geer Cemetery<http://www.friendsofgeer.com/> is a volunteer group meeting monthly to advocate for Geer Cemetery. Its mission is to honor those who lie at rest in the Cemetery, and to preserve Geer Cemetery for posterity.

*        For more information about Saturday's cleanup or other volunteer projects contact Keep Durham Beautiful at (919) 672-6682 or tania at keepdurhambeautiful.org<mailto:tania at keepdurhambeautiful.org>.

About Keep Durham Beautiful
Keep Durham Beautiful<http://www.keepdurhambeautiful.org/> is a nonprofit, volunteer organization working in partnership with the City of Durham General Services Department<http://durhamnc.gov/ich/op/gs/Pages/Home.aspx> and Durham County<http://dconc.gov/> to encourage residents, businesses, and community organizations to protect the environment and enhance the appearance of Durham through cleanup events, beautification projects, waste reduction, and educational activities. To learn more, visit the website<http://www.keepdurhambeautiful.org/>, like on Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/KeepDurhamBeautiful>, and follow on Instagram<https://instagram.com/keepdurhambeautiful/>, flickr<https://www.flickr.com/photos/keepdurhambeautiful/>, and Twitter<http://www.twitter.com/DurhamBeautiful>.

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