I’d like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and thank all who volunteered and contributed to our efforts in 2017.

2017 was another good year for our organization. Despite heat, smoke, and high fire danger, our events and activities were well attended and a lot of work was completed.

Our volunteers donated 141 hours and cleaned 111 headstones and other cemetery fixtures from April to September. Since 2013, the group has cleaned 563 grave markers, giving 877 hours to this important endeavor.

Volunteers also spent 161 hours repairing headstones that were sinking, leaning or had loose pieces. Big projects included the Jane McCully block in the Masonic Section, as well as work in the Peninger and Pankey blocks, both located in the City Section.

Volunteers for our Community Clean-up Days contributed 193 hours of labor. 219 more hours were given for mini clean-ups, cleaning interpretive panels and the Interpretive Center, restocking brochures and other maintenance-related tasks.

Our docents presented four, “Tuesday Evening Cemetery Strolls,” and five, “History Saturday in the Cemetery” programs in 2017. They also spent 110 hours guiding members of organizations on private cemetery tours, including the Daughters of the American Revolution, Jackson County Juvenile Detention Center, Friendship Force, Grants Pass YMCA, Eagle Point High School and Travel Writers.

On Memorial Day, volunteers placed 400 flags on veterans’ gravesites and were on site to assist visitors with locating the gravesites of loved ones. Each year, FOJHC purchases flags to place on the graves of our Veterans resting in the cemetery and also maintains them until the following Veterans Day in November. Approximately 81 hours was donated in honoring our Veterans in this manner.

Our annual fundraiser, “Meet the Pioneers,” was a wonderful success. This event requires a small army of volunteers who turn the cemetery into a theater for the two nights of performances. 45 volunteers contributed approximately 550 hours to put this show on. This number doesn’t include time spent in rehearsals, selecting costumes or processing ticket sales.

2018 Plans and Volunteer Opportunities!

  • Community Clean-up Days – March 24, May 19, and September 29
  • Marker Cleaning Workshops – April 21, June 16, July 21, August 18 and September 15
  • Memorial Day Activities – Placement of Flags, May 26, Help with Meet and Greet on May 27 and 28, and removing flags on November 17
  • Meet the Pioneers – October 5 and 6

Upcoming Events!

  • Tuesday Evening Cemetery Strolls – May 8, June 12, July 10 and August 14
  • History Saturday in the Cemetery – May 12, June 9, July 14 and August 11
  • Meet the Pioneers – October 5 and 6

Please visit our website at friendsjvillecemetery.org for complete details and additional information on events and activities.