Volunteers once again are being recruited to continue the cleanup of historic but overgrown Evergreen Cemetery on the border between Richmond and Henrico County.

The next workday to remove vegetation from graves will be Saturday, Dec. 3, beginning at 8 a.m., it has been announced.

Interested persons are being urged to bring yard tools, gloves and chain saws.

“At this point, we have managed to clear about 8½ acres,” said Marvin Harris, who is leading the effort on behalf of the Maggie L. Walker High School Class of 1967, which took on the project as part of its 50th class reunion plans.

“My goal was to get at least 10 acres cleared by the end of the year,” Mr. Harris said, “and it still is possible if we get plenty of people out to help.

“I am thankful for all of those who have given time and money to help and hope others will join in,” he said.

With roughly 60 acres, Evergreen Cemetery is the final resting place of Richmond banker Maggie L. Walker, Richmond newspaper editor John Mitchell and thousands of other African-Americans. Families were not required to pay into a perpetual care fund, and over time the graves, headstones and the land has become overgrown with weeds, briars and trees.

Donations to hire landscaping companies to assist in the work can be sent to Friends of Evergreen Cemetery, c/o Enrichmond Foundation, 100 N. 17th St., Richmond, Va. 23219, or online at http://enrichmond.org/?s=evergreen

For more information, contact Mr. Harris at (804) 240-1418 or mharris@mapinv.com.