The century-old fence surrounding Kemp Cemetery must be repaired to keep it intact.

Supporters of the cemetery have launched a fundraiser to save the fence on behalf of the Kemp Cemetery Board of Directors. The board received a bid of $5,905 to make the needed repairs.

The goal is to raise the needed money by April 11. The final decision on the repairs will be made by the cemetery board on April 13.

Kemp native Krista McAnally said the historic fence is a nostalgic symbol for her and others with loved ones buried there.

"I love that old cemetery," McAnally said. "I have four generatios buried there."

Mayor Laura Hanna Peace said she also would lend her support to the project. "It is very important to our community," she said.

Maintenance funds for the cemetery come from the interest received on the principal from dedicated trusts from Kemp families. The principal must remain intact so none of it can be used for the fence's repair.

The trust is only producing enough to cover routine maintenance at the cemetery, which averages about $1,100 per month.

Only donations can fund major renovations.

Supporters said any amounts would help the Kemp Cemetery reach the fundraising goal of $5,902.

"Please support this fund to save an important piece of the history of our wonderful little town," McAnally said.

There are several ways to contribute to the project:

If the option is for the fence renovation but contributors agree that if the needed funds for the repair are not raised the money can be deposited to the general maintenance fund, checks can be made payable to:

Kemp Cemetery

P.O. Box 84

Kemp, TX 75143

If contributors want to contribute only to the fence restoration project, checks will be held at the First National Bank of Kemp and not processed until the entire amount is raised. Checks will be returned to donors if the total amount needed is not raised. Those checks should indicate in their "For" section "historical fence fund" and mailed to:

Susan Dunn

First National Bank

P.O. Box 587

Kemp, TX 75243

Donations can be made online at:

https://www.youcaring.com/memorial-fundraiser/save-the-historic-kemp-cemetery-fence-fund/316090

For information about online donations, call Pam Jones at 903-498-8830 or email McAnally at [email protected].

Donations will also be accepted at the Wildflower Festival on April 11 in Kemp. For information, call the City of Kemp at 903-498-3191.