100 People Who Care PEC present $11,000 to Glenwood Cemetery

100 People Who Care PEC representatives (front) Richard Byers, Mark Davis, Judy Fraser Saunders and David Fox presented $11,000 to Glenwood Cemetery, as the charity of choice nominated by Chris Rogers (back, left) with Glenwood treasurer Fergus Miller and chair Sandy Latchford. – Sue Capon photo

The quest to right vandalized headstones and monuments got a healthy boost Tuesday as the 100 People Who Care PEC group presented $11,000 worth of cheques to Picton’s Glenwood Cemetery.

Four times a year, each member of the group brings (or sends) a $100 cheque to a meeting and, if they wish, the name of a worthy charity. The charity chosen at the meeting receives all the cheques. Membership currently numbers 110.

Following a short time for networking, three candidate charity names are drawn from a hat – this time Glenwood Cemetery was among them, having been nominated by Chris Rogers.

“It was a community tragedy and we try to help community,” Rogers said, noting for obvious reasons Glenwood was a good charity to nominate.

Following a month-long investigation, two young men were arrested by Prince Edward OPP in relation to the vandalism the evening of June 20. Headstones and monuments were toppled and broken – some permanently – including a 100-year-old Celtic cross. A 15-year-old from Kingston and 17-year-old from Picton are to appear in court Aug. 20 to answer charges of mischief over $5,000.

Glenwood has now completed an inventory of 175 stones and monuments in need of repairs estimated to be in the range of $200,000. The complete list is on the cemetery’s website. 

Cemetery board chair Sandy Latchford said several monument companies will be meeting at Glenwood in August to discuss co-ordination of repairs. The companies will be looking after stones that families have insured, but have also offered assistance in righting and fixing what she calls “orphan stones” of families that are long gone.

“We are also getting some assistance from Hydro One offering their boom truck on site, so we’re going to co-ordinate everybody so it will be much more cost-effective,” she said.

“It has been really devastating for the staff and volunteers at Glenwood,” Latchford said, “but the support shown from the community has been phenomenal.”

“We’ve also had some wonderful letters from people who sent money and said how horrible they felt, and that they sobbed and cried. It’s been really heartwarming.”

Last week local musicians invited the community to a fundraiser for Glenwood at the Regent Theatre and together with the funds from 100 People Who Care, and donations from community members, Latchford thinks they will have about $30,000 to begin the long restoration process. And donations are still coming in.

“Generally through tragedy and sadness you really find out who your friends are,” said Mark Davis, one of the group’s founders. “And there will be lots of friends with Glenwood Cemetery.”

Membership to 100 People who Care PEC is open. Members must attend to vote and if unable to attend, must send their cheque along regardless and support the winning charity. Those wanting more information should email 100peoplewhocarepec@gmail.com

As a non-profit, the cemetery’s only revenue is from the sales of graves, commissions from the sale of monuments, bequests, some from the municipality, fundraising and donations.

Further information on Glenwood Cemetery or for those wishing to donate, visit glenwoodcemetery.ca/support-us.