Memorial Garden with Commemorative Plaque for Chinese Cemetery at Valhalla
Comparable work in other U.S. cities
Why This Is Important To Us
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Having a permanent marker increases visibility of the Chinese cemetery and the history associated with it.
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It also ensures that the cemetery will be well maintained by the management as well as the community.
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It may lead to educational programming on local AAPI history. Like a tour of the Chinese Cemetery for students who like us knew nothing about this history??!!
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It would be the first ever permanent structure in St. Louis County built to document the history of early Chinese immigrants in St. Louis, including the contribution of the On Leong Association.
Estimated Cost and fund-raising goal: $7k
Depending on the final design, size and material to be used, Valhalla’s management team gave an estimate of 12k for making the plaque and setting it up at the cemetery. Note: this does not include the cost for the Memorial Garden. We include a budget of an additional $1k for incremental cost.
As of July 2024, the AACS Chinese History Initiative group has fundraised about $6k+.
We are grateful for the financial support from the following:
a. a UCA Community Fund ($3500) (read more at https://ucacf.org/)
b. Donations from the community, including Mr. Don Ko and generous donors from our GoFundMe
c. Pledges of donations (hoping they will all come through!!)
Here is a link to our GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/preserving-chinese-gravesites-at-valhalla
However, if a direct donation is an option, please contact us via email to help save the processing fee!!
Work Ahead of Us
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Raising the funds needed
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finalizing the design of the garden and the plaque
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Soliciting input from interested parties in the community
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Tentative target day of completion: Tomb Sweeping Day of 2025, April 4th 2025.
Note: some of us are graduating in 2025. We hope to complete the project before they leave ;-)