Yuma Neighbors United striving for cleaner cemetery

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - A newly formed non-profit organization is working to preserve Yuma’s history by restoring Pioneer Cemetery, one of the city’s oldest burial grounds.

Yuma Neighbors United was created with the goal of cleaning and maintaining the cemetery to honor the citizens who helped establish the community.

The City of Yuma has provided the group with cleaning equipment to assist in the restoration effort.

Volunteers are scheduled to participate in the cemetery’s first official cleanup on Saturday morning at 6:30 a.m. Following that, more cleanings are scheduled to take place towards the fall.

Founders Allan and Cheri Marx said the project is focused on preserving the dignity of the gravesites and restoring the cemetery’s appearance.

“This is, you know, who helped build this town and, you know, we gotta show them that we still care for them,” said Marx. “Helping the families who have these graves, get ‘em back, you know, cut the trees out. As you can see this big tree here — get that taken care of, and get the gravesite back to where it’s looking nice.”

If interested in joining Yuma Neighbors United's efforts, you can reach out via their Facebook profile here, or via email - yumaneighborsunited@gmail.com.