Volunteers help clean Rose Hill Cemetery in time for Memorial Day

Volunteers turned up at Rose Hill Cemetery Saturday morning to try and piece things back together after vandals caused more than $100,000 in damage two weeks ago.

Approximately 50 people showed up Saturday to help get the cemetery in order for Memorial Day.

“It was a tragedy, we didn’t think something like that would happen in Idaho Falls. And we’re all pretty upset about it, and we’re just glad that the community wants to come together and help us out a little bit. There’s a lot of work involved here in what we do,” Scott Davis, the cemetery’s sexton, said.

“Well, this is heartwarming. What we had happen in this community and to the graves in this cemetery was a tragedy and broke everyone’s heart,” Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper said.

“I think it’s great to help the community because everybody needs to know that everyone is here for each other — no matter if you’re a stranger or not,” volunteer Dean Velez said.

Volunteers grabbed gloves, trash bags, and rakes to clean around the graves. Casper made the call to action for community members when she realized that the Rose Hill Cemetery crew needed extra help after the vandalism.

“Because many people felt the need to do something, we thought a volunteer opportunity would be the right way to be able to get this space prepared for that special Memorial Day weekend and also allow people to give,” Casper said.

The cemetery grounds will be clean and good to go for Memorial Day. The city is grateful to those who came out Saturday morning and for those who have donated to help get those damaged headstones repaired.