Cleanup at Ashland Cemetery Almost Complete

Community members come together to clean up cemetery after the July storms.

Cleanup at the Mt. Hope Cemetery is almost complete. Volunteer after volunteer came not only to pick up the pieces, but to show their respect.

After storms with high winds hit Ashland and the surrounding areas, the community stepped up.

“It gives you a renewed hope in really our modern civilization which sometimes gets carried away with technology of today and forgets that we need to get back to the grassroots of caring for people,” said volunteer Ken Kontny.

Volunteers came to the cemetery to cleanup after a storm unlike any they had ever seen.

“I don’t even know a lot of these people so that to me is exciting that they care enough about the lives that came before us. They care about this community and here they are. This is amazing,” said volunteer Jill Zifko.

A few volunteers began the initial cleanup after the storm and then more and more came to help out. Area churches joined the effort.

“I think it’s important that the community spirit is still alive in this country,” said Kontny.

Volunteer Donna Kolonko’s in-laws call Mt. Hope their final resting place.

“It was tough and we’re all here working together,” said Kolonko.

Volunteers keep this cemetery a mountain of hope. They worked hard now for those who gained their eternal rest.

“It’s not only the cemetery that was damaged, it was our roads, homes, so every little bit helps,” said Kolonko.

Ashland construction company, Northern Clearing, donated many hours to help cleanup the cemetery after the storm first hit. One church member even worked for weeks by himself in the cleanup effort.

Volunteers expected to clear the cemetery of all the debris.