Help Greenwood Cemetery!

Hello Everyone,

Do you want to help a cemetery and community in need? This is your chance to make a difference in hundreds of lives! Help Restore the Historic Greenwood Cemetery.

In December 2007 the Oregon Coast was punished by the worst storm in literally a century. If you watch the show Ax Men on the history channel, their first season illustrated this exact storm. Flood water waist high on the lower coast lines, trees and telephone poles cut down like blades of grass and property damage worthy of a hurricane. In fact, this storm was the first in which the Weather Service used the word “hurricane” north of the 45th parallel! We’re talking sustained winds of 80-90 miles per hour, with gusts topping out around 150mph!

Just recently on my trip into Astoria, Oregon I visited the Greenwood Cemetery. It’s a historic (or pioneer) cemetery of 31 acres, dating from 1891. This is a beautiful cemetery and one that was in some places, still heavily damaged by the storm. As with most historic cemeteries, no provision was made for the care and maintenance of the grounds. Many if not most of the pioneer families have either died out or moved, or have lost connection with their roots. These historic cemeteries like Greenwood hold more artifacts of our heritage than our museums.

Greenwood Cemetery Columbarium, Astoria OR. Photograph by Mike, Greenwood Cemetery Owner / Operator

As you can see here, the entire roof structure was lifted off the building and dumped in a shattered heap behind the building. In the process, the chimney was torn loose, and dropped across the masonry walls, fracturing them.

What used to be the roof... Photograph by Mike, Greenwood Cemetery Owner / Operator

For a new ceiling and structural repairs to the walls and doorways could cost as much as $43,000! It’s not like some big business owns this cemetery either. I’ve recently been in contact with the private owners, Mike and Lynda. They take care of the entire property themselves, all day every day. This is not a small cemetery, either.

Greenwood Cemetery, Astoria Oregon Storm Damage

In addition to the columbarium being all but destroyed (the niches are all safe, thankfully!) some 75 memorial stones and markers have been damaged or destroyed. The total bill here is around $10,000. How is one family supposed to come up with that kind of money just for restoration?

Damaged Tombstone from uprooted tree - Astoria, OR. Photograph by Mike, Greenwood Cemetery Owner / Operator

The families and generations of Clatsop County deserve to have their most sacred space at least returned to normal! Especially after a year and a half.

Mike and Lynda understand how important this is, and asked the bank to accept cemetery property to secure a loan. Financial institutions said NO! Mike and Lynda also applied for FEMA aid and were denied. (Typical, right?) I learned just recently that there’s an odd quirk in Oregon State law. Cemetery property in Oregon is inactionable. Since lenders cannot foreclose on cemetery property, they can’t accept it as collateral.

Greenwood Cemetery and the citizens of Clatsop County need your help! Not only are families barred access to their loved ones niches because of the dangerous structure, 75 memorial stones and markers are damaged or destroyed.

Front Sealed Columbarium - Astoria OR

Mike and Lynda are some of the hardest working people I know. They are what guys from my generation call “Old School” with utmost respect. Mike works himself into the ground each night (pardon the pun!) without a complaint or attitude. They are in a sense, rare in America in that they own and work their own land and business. They are in a lot of ways, living the American dream.

That dream in Oregon is struggling right now. That’s where I come in. Many of the fine citizens of Astoria and other towns in Clatsop County are out of work due to sharp declines in demand for loggers, fisherman, and the industries built up around them. They have all done what they can. They are as proud as any American community and stubbornly aren’t asking for money. I however, am turning to my neighbors in Bend (where I live,) Eugene, Portland and cemetery lovers across the country. Neighbors help neighbors, and American’s help American’s. That’s just what we do. Hopefully our own communities will never face such a disaster, but if we do, each other is all we’ve got. Clearly we cannot rely on Government, given they have tied the hands of the banks and refuse to give aid directly!

All I ask is that you donate whatever you feel comfortable with. As little or as much as you like, so that all of us can restore normality and the rich history to Greenwood Cemetery and the community it serves. I realize times are lean. I myself have been laid off! (That’s why this blog is so rockin’ now, with all this free time I have!) Don’t short change yourself, but anything helps. If you can give up a coffee for the next two days and give $10, you won’t remember not having the coffee. You will remember helping your fellow citizens restore a historical cemetery! How cool is that?

There is a little bit of good news, though. Mike has done his due diligence and has found that he could get a glass enclosed gazebo to house the columbarium for just $22,500 plus fright and foundation. Well less than almost $43k! In fact, the whole project could be completed in style for around $40,000. That means faithfully restored historical monuments, memorial markers and grounds work leftover from uprooted trees. If it was your families headstones that were broken, you would want them fixed, right? I know I would!

Glass Enclosed Victorian Style Columbarium

Isn’t that beautiful? Imagine that sitting atop the highest hill in cemetery. This can only happen with your help, though!

Donate here in any amount you desire:

Mike has done something amazing for all who donate. If you donate today in any amount you receive an interest in one acre of highly valuable Oregon Wetland on the cemetery property! (Everyone in Oregon is trying to preserve wetlands!) With this Land Certificate* (of symbolic nature, see fine print below) you will be credited with helping to restore an Oregon Pioneer Cemetery. Cool stuff, huh? Print it, hang it, share it.

It doesn’t end there, however. In addition to your share in the wetland acre, Mike has set up a special recognition program at the cemetery. The first 100 people to donate an amount of $50 get their names on a plaque that will commemorate your coming together and helping restore this beautiful historic cemetery.

However, if you donate $100 you will have a special place in the cemetery. There will be “pavers” that will border planter boxes, line the walkway to the new Columbarium and that will encircle the fountain. You will have a permanent place in history, indeed, set in stone. Generations for years to come will know your generosity and that of your family and organization! All this in addition to your share in the Oregon Wetland on cemetery property! Why wait? Donate now, help your neighbor and claim your piece of history!

To Donate $50

To Donate $100

In case you were wondering I’m not getting paid for this. My reward is knowing I’ve made a difference in the world, with your help. Want to show off your donation? Post a comment with the screen shot! (Minus your personal details please.)

Update: Hurry and donate quick, there’s only 37 spaces left on the plaque for names! I’ve got mine. Get yours too!