Help restore abandoned segregated cemetery

Dear Family, Friends & fellow citizens of the world,

I am writing you to request your help with the community service project I am planning as the final step to achieving the rank of "Eagle Scout" in Boy Scouts, an honor so rare, that only 4% of scouts ever reach this rank.

As you may know, each Scout is responsible for planning and leading his service project, including raising the funds needed to purchase tools and supplies. I am addressing a large group of family and friends because I’m planning an ambitious project that requires significant financial support.

About Me: I am the son of Maria Rodriguez. I am 15 years old and in the 9th grade. I'm A Boy Scout with Troop 2 in Naples, Florida.

During the worst of the Covid years, I stayed very busy with Boy Scouts. I was able to advance from Scout – the lowest rank – to Life – the rank before Eagle. I spent that time being inspired by what I saw. So many people coming together to help. This motivated me to help first responders and those in nursing homes by making over 200 masks.

I am also involved in Football, Track & Field, President of the Freshman student body at school, an Usher & Alter server at church. I am the SPL in my troop. I love traveling and cooking.

The Project:

"Plot N of Rosemary Cemetery" is an unmarked area where 8 African-Americans are buried. They were placed there sometime during the early 1930's. They were buried in a segregated area of the cemetery. No records were kept on who they were or where their families were from. All we know is they are 7 adults and 1 child. There are no headstones, no fencing, no historical marker, only 4 small posts dotting the edge of the burial site. Nothing to honor those buried among side one of Naples busiest intersections. ( Goodlette Frank & Pine Ridge)

For my Eagle Project named "Project Reverence", I have decided to construct a proper burial site so these souls may truly be honored and may rest in peace. I would like to order custom headstones, a small bench, fencing and a historical marker that will serve as a educational tool for generations to come.

The total estimated cost for this project is approximately $30,000-$40,000. I plan to fundraise till I complete the project. Any funds left after the project is completed will go to the NAACP & Collier County Museum for continued educational opportunities for the youth of the county.

I plan to start construction of this ambitious project early Fall.

How you can help:

1) Please share this post on all your social media platforms. The more people I can reach, the more opportunities for people to learn about this forgotten cemetery. Hopefully this will lead to more contacts in the areas of:

- historians

- fencing

- funeral homes

- cement companies

- engineers

- etc.

I will be having a few in person planning meetings that you will all be invited to so you can learn of all of the different opportunities for you to help!

2) I'm also asking for your financial support so I can fully execute this project. You can make a donation in two ways:

Regular Donation: you can mail a check made out to

" Jonathan Rodriguez "

(Project Reverence T2 on memo line) then mail to:

Boy Scout Troop 2

c/o B. Coen

2780 68th St SW

Naples, FL 34105

or send payment via my GoFundMe Page!

No donation is too large or small. Upon completion, I will follow up with those that donated with an invitation to the dedication ceremony and/or final photos and a breakdown of expenses. Thank you for your consideration, I hope to gain your support.

Yours in Scouting,

Jonathan Rodríguez