Volunteers of all ages and abilities are invited to assist with cleaning gravesites, installing markers and helping with general maintenance in the historic Western State Hospital. The work day will take place this Saturday, May 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cemetery is located at Fort Steilacoom Park. This Grave Concerns activity is part of Compassion Weekend sponsored by Christ Lutheran Church, Lakewood. Lunch will be provided for volunteers.
Representatives from Afterlife Planning will provide training in grave grooming techniques. There are approximately 400 new markers and 2,700 gravesites to maintain, with plans to install 10 more markers Saturday. A dedication is planned for approximately 11:30 a.m.
Volunteers should dress in layers and bring gardening gloves. Garden tools and kneeling pads or cushions may also be useful. For more information call Laurel Lemke at 376-5086. You may also visit Grave Concerns at www.wshgraveconcerns.org and on Facebook.