The Charlotte County Historical and Genealogical Society has been hard at work with its “Adopt a Cemetery” program, which is dedicated to protecting and preserving the final resting places around the county.

Private cemeteries often go unkempt due to lack of manpower, location or negligence. Sometimes, the deceased may not have family or friends close by in the area, causing many graves to become almost forgotten.

The Adopt a Cemetery program has been faithfully working to combat this, along with offering interesting information along the way.

Each week, a youth group participating in the program has the privilege of researching at the archives in Drakes Branch then venturing out to document cemeteries for part of the day.

I applaud the Charlotte County Historical and Genealogical Society for being proactive in educating the youth of our county while performing a commendable service at the same time.

As a further incentive, the individuals who participate are offered a certificate of completion and a recommendation for college.

In my opinion, this is a win-win situation for the youth of our county who are looking for a positive outlet to participate in this summer. Why not spend the time doing a good deed and getting a college recommendation at the same time?

Community service looks great on a resume and oftentimes can give those applying for a job the edge over their competition.

While paid work and experience are important, community service shows that one understands the value of giving back and helping, even when monetary rewards are not part of the deal.

Additionally, the knowledge and feeling of helping others is something that no amount of money can buy. 

Thank you to the Charlotte County Historical and Genealogical Society for continuing to remember the deceased in our county and provide such a commendable community service.

Italia Gregory is the community editor of The Charlotte Gazette. Her email address is Italia.Gregory@TheCharlotteGazette.com.