Volunteers needed to clean Washington Township cemeteries

Sep. 27—DECATUR COUNTY — "I was just interested in cleaning the headstones, I used to live next to a cemetery," Catie Farrell said while explaining how she got involved in local cemetery clean-ups.

She had posted online that she was interested in learning how to care for them and get permission to do so.

"You can't just clean anywhere you want," she said.

Sp, she learned how the process works.

"It started with a curiosity and natural interest in history and local history," she said.

Farrell is now looking for volunteers to help clean up five cemeteries in Washington Township.

A date hasn't been set, but it will be after the second week of October.

The first cemetery likely slated for cleaning will be Sand Creek Cemetery. Volunteers are welcome to come and go anytime during hours set aside for cleaning.

Local historian Russell Wilhoit will be attending as well as some of the township trustees. Volunteers will be presented a demonstration on how to properly clean headstones. They will do a basic cleaning that doesn't use harsh chemicals. Where chemicals need to be applied, that will be done by Farrell or Wilhoit, who will supervise to ensure volunteers are doing everything properly and safely.

Besides volunteering, people interested in helping can also donate cleaning supplies. Farrell said they still need rubber gloves, plastic bristle brushes, plastic scrapers and Simple Green brand cleaner.

For more information, contact Farrell at 317-850-5084 or indianacatie@gmail.com, Wilhoit at 812-552-5595, or the Washington Township Trustee's Office at 812-663-5501.

Contact Noelle Maxwell at news@greensburgdailynews.com.