Amazing results happen when citizens come together in a common cause close to their heart, not waiting as bureaucrats dictate what could be just “the way things are done.” Such was the case with the quickly deteriorating condition of the Enterprise Cemetery due to water being disconnected in 2011 with no plan to reconnect. The squirrel population was destroying the once beautiful but scorched grounds that are final resting for citizens who built this community, lived lives here or always found it “home” in their hearts. Families and citizens were in despair over rapid degeneration of the cemetery.

Fast forward to 2016 with a new Cemetery Board and explosion of grassroots organization, Friends of Enterprise Cemetery (FEC) founded in the fall of 2014. Support for halting what was happening to this cemetery and an image of lack of community pride is the result of so many dedicated to solving the situation by simply putting their shoulder to the wheel and turning events around. With huge citizen turnout for Cemetery Board meetings starting in February 2015 and the city of Enterprise committing to donations of labor and equipment, by April of 2015 the following was in place:

• Water restored to Enterprise Cemetery with plan for underground system financed by contributions.

• Finance campaign for monetary contributions resulting in hundreds of donations ranging from $5 to $10,000. Many families have requested memorial contributions be directed toward irrigation.

• Volunteerism in all management areas of the cemetery.

Today, one year later, the Board of Enterprise Cemetery and FEC wish to update the public on the current status:

• We are close enough to funding goals to soon put out request for bids for this system. The city has donated funding toward review of design plan and compiling of bid packages.

• Contributions to date to the FEC total over $52,000,(a local church, Grace Lutheran, added hundreds to this amount by selling water at summer events); tax-deductible contributions to the cemetery directly total over $16,000; dollars saved from annual tax budget will be directed to the irrigation account, thanks to a working board.

• Three grants have been awarded for irrigation: $5,000 from Pacific Power, $2,000 from Farm Credit Services and $10,000 from Wildhorse Foundation. Total funds available are near the original goal, which has seen an increase to ensure top quality in design and system.

• Untold volunteer hours have been directed to maintenance and planning. The 2016 season irrigation will again be above ground lines that necessitate constant moving until we have efficient use of water.

• Fundraising continues with hopes of going “over the top” in the months to come. What was projected to take two years can become a reality sooner with continued support.

• Citizens keep coming on board to volunteer at the cemetery; one couple new to the community already has trimmed shrubs and trees this spring. This activity is vital to restoration. However, only involvement from the next generation can ensure history will not be repeated.

The Cemetery Board and volunteers appreciate all donations and work hard to ensure that your money is efficiently and effectively spent. This is the opportunity to show proper respect for departed loved ones and showcase that we are a caring society.

Friends of Enterprise Cemetery member Ella Mae Hays resides in Newberg, Ore.