My name is Sebastian Owens, and I am raising funds for my Eagle Scout Project to benefit a historical cemetery in Simpsonville, SC impacted by Hurricane Helene.
The funds raised will help me:
- create an outdoor classroom for the patrons to share the beautiful history.
- engrave and set 33 headstones on unmarked graves.
- help repair the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
- inspire the community to work together and treat others with equality.
The cemetery behind the church has been recognized under the National Register of Historical Places because humanity prevailed in the 19th century. Clayton Kilgore, a former slave owner, donated land to the slaves and left money for a schoolhouse and a church (founded 1868) to be built specifically for their benefit. In a final act of respect, unheard of at the time, some of the slaves were laid to rest beside their former white owners.
An “accidental” meeting while earning services hours for my Boy Scout Troop 266 (Taylors, SC) led me to meet Mr. Stan Durham, Mrs. Helen Pinson and Mrs. Debbie (Kilgore) Weeks. Together, we watched ground-penetrating radar technology produce a map of the unmarked graves and I am astonished by the history of this church! This is why I chose them to be the beneficiaries of my Eagle Scout project.
Thank you for any donation.
Any funds leftover will be donated to the church.
Hurricane Helene damage.
The orange & blue flags are unmarked graves found by ground penetrating radar.
unbreakable
sticking around another 200 years