Well over 100 volunteers of all ages paid their respects Saturday to more than 9,000 individuals and loved ones buried at Carson City’s Lone Mountain Cemetery by participating in a fall community cleanup before winter weather returns.

Carson City Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department, in conjunction with Carson City Mayor Lori Bagwell, held the 5th annual “Move with the Mayor”’ initiative cleanup day, bringing individuals, families, businesses and volunteer groups to participate at the Beverly Drive cemetery event.

Community Outreach Coordinator Erin Larsen welcomed participants and guided them to locations around the 40-acre cemetery that were in need of a clean sweep of weeds, brush, tumbleweed and any litter that found its way onto the property.

Pushing a broom, Ivy Harrison helps with Saturday’s cleanup with her mom Alyssa Harrison.

Larsen encouraged participants to “recognize the generations” laid to rest at the cemetery, noting they represent not only the town’s history but Nevada’s history.

Mayor Bagwell was thrilled by the number of volunteers, especially among community groups and youth, many representing the Carson High’s Navy Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (NJROTC).

“It’s exciting how this has grown into an annual event that the community looks forward to participating in — knowing they can come and care for a gravesite that has no generation of family left to care for it,” said Bagwell. “They can look at that, and they can just know that they’re a part of remembering that person and saying, ‘you know what? You deserve to be cared for and attended to.’ That’s the pride of our community. It shows everyone what a great community we live in.”

Additionally, the Lone Mountain Cemetery is home to some of Nevada’s earliest written history dating back to the 1860s, and is readily accessible for the public to visit, learn from and enjoy.

Participating in the cleanup Saturday from left to right were Margaret Judge, Janet McDonnell and Kelly Clark.

The cemetery is managed by the Carson City Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department and contains numerous sections and memorials for people of various denominations, ethnic backgrounds, and economic and social standings.

‘Move with the Mayor’ is a national campaign developed by the National Forum for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention to encourage people to live active, healthy lifestyles. Volunteer activities will focus on weed removal around headstones and markers.