6 years ago
A group of young people hopped on a bus early Sunday afternoon.
Their destination: a historic Buffalo cemetery trashed by vandals last week.
Their mission: to clean up the final resting place of thousands of Western New Yorkers.
Angry volunteers called 2 On Your Side last week after discovering piles of debris and trash strewn down a driveway at the Concordia Cemetery on Walden Avenue.
2 On Your Side contacted the mayor's office and the following day, crews were out cleaning up the mess. But in generous Western New York, the story doesn't stop there.
The director of The Christian Youth Corps based in Machias, New York was watching the news.
"It kind of hit a heartstring when they were talking about the veterans being buried here and stuff," said Pete Andrews.
In fact, soldiers dating back to the Civil War are buried in the cemetery, and the debris discovered was strewn about near the grave of a Gulf War soldier.
Members of the youth corps wanted to do more. On Sunday afternoon, they traveled to Buffalo, with rakes, weed wackers, power washers and more, and got to work.
"It just helps other people and it makes our community better to live in," said 10 year old Danny Spalti. "I don't know why people would do that to a cemetery."
Dave Folmar's grandparents are buried in the cemetery. He lives nearby and came out to see how he could help. He said he's proud of the young people pitching in. "I think they're setting an example for everyone."
According to Folmar, "we're all gonna end up here sooner or later one day," so he figures it's important to help clean up and improve the cemetery.
A blacksmith also came by to check out the fencing surrounding the cemetery. He says it's in need of repairs and will do what he can. The group also plans to paint the building housing the cemetery offices.
"I just came here to help clean up and respect the dead," said 12 year old Emma. "You really get a good feeling after you do it." She wondered if some of those buried at Concordia Cemetery were watching her helping out, taking care of their grave stones.
The group plans to return in a couple of weeks to do more work.
