A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up for in Franklin Township that has fallen on hard times.

Anthony Frantz, the caretaker for the Union Hill Cemetery at 140 Union Hill Road said the 5.5-acre cemetery was established in 1880 and has served the local community since.

He said that recently it fell into financial troubles.

“There are many needs, and there is a lot of work needed to get this place a viable gem of the community once again,” Frantz said. “Everything from purchasing insurance, masonry work, lawn equipment repair and upkeep, annual trash bill, tree removal, and more.”

As of this morning, $10 of the $5,000 goal had been raised.

Frantz previously posted in October on Facebook that he was looking to get back involved with the cemetery.

Since then, Frantz said Jay Balliet, owner of All J’s Landscaping & Lawn Care in Walnutport, has donated his time, and been charging the cemetery at a very generous discount rate.

Balliet has been in business for over 25 years.

Balliet said it took a crew of eight people one day to complete the work.

Frantz said anyone willing to make a contribution may send checks payable to Union Hill Cemetery, 140 Union Hill Road, Lehighton, PA 18235-2830.

Frantz said at that time the cemetery’s trash bill had not been paid; its insurance lapsed because it wasn’t paid and the insurance company would not insure them.

He said at that time there were a lot of financial hurdles that had to be addressed in the winter, and that between lawncare, bills past due, and other things, $15,000 was needed.

He said at that time it costs about $1,200 each time alone to mow the cemetery.

Frantz added at that time that the cemetery had roughly $150 in its checking account.

The post added there was a pile of dumped concrete and building construction waste that needed to be bulldozed out.

It then asked members of the community to partner with the caretaker in this project, and added that a GoFundMe would be created for the money end of things.

The cemetery is always looking for volunteers, and anyone interested may call 484-695-5147, or email them at unionhillcemetery1881@yahoo.com.