The Mt. Olive Cemetery Association is trying to raise funds to build a fence around the cemetery.
The property is located north of U.S. 441 on Huffstetler Road between Dillard Street and David Walker Drive in Eustis, Florida. It was purchased almost 100 years ago to serve the burial needs of the African-American community.
For many years, Mt. Olive Cemetery was a peaceful place. It was surrounded by citrus groves, and families felt good about burying their loved ones there. Then, about three years ago, Lake County and the City of Eustis decided to build Huffstetler Road to connect Kurt Street with David Walker Drive. When the road was completed, the entire back of the cemetery was exposed. Gone were the citrus groves, and in their place, commercial development began.
The exposure of the cemetery to the public eye brought trespassers and vandals to the once peaceful and hallowed place. Obviously a fence became a pressing need for the Mt. Olive Cemetery, but the funds were simply not available.
Originally the cemetery association had hoped the County or the City would fund the fence. However, they do not believe they have a legal obligation. The Lake Eustis Institute and Fr. John Jacobs, Rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, heard about the need and suggested that the Mt. Olive Cemetery Association appeal to the community for help in getting the $125,000 to purchase a fence and landscape the perimeter of the cemetery. Fr. John wrote letters to all area churches asking the congregations for financial assistance. After the story about the cemetery appeared in the local papers, many people mailed checks to the Institute for the fence. The story has since been picked up by several national newspapers.
If you wish to donate to this project, 
CLICK HERE
Or donations can be mailed to Lake Eustis Institute, P.O. Box 1060, Eustis, FL 32727. Noted in the memo line of the check should be Mt. Olive Cemetery.
Mt. Olive Cemetary Association