Amazon Gives $10K to Restore Historic Louisiana Cemetery

The Chloe African American Cemetery in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is about to get the care it deserves, thanks to a $10,000 donation from Amazon and dozens of volunteers ready to roll up their sleeves.

The Chloe African American Cemetery Preservation Association announced the sponsorship just days before their community cleanup event on October 17-18. The timing couldn't be better for the historic burial ground that's waited generations for proper restoration.

This isn't just any cemetery. Founded in the 1800s along English Bayou, it holds the stories of African American, Creole, and Native American families who built the region. The LeBleu family and other early settlers of Chloe rest here, their legacies woven into Louisiana's rich cultural tapestry.

Amazon employees will join local volunteers both days from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to clear brush, remove debris, and begin bringing the cemetery back to life. Organizers are asking volunteers to bring boots, gloves, and goggles, while they'll provide drinks and snacks.

The association especially needs local contractors and landscaping professionals who can donate equipment time. Small excavators, backhoes, and heavy-duty chainsaws will help tackle the bigger restoration work that's been needed for years.

The Ripple Effect

This project shows how corporate support and community action can come together to honor forgotten histories. When sacred spaces like Chloe Cemetery get restored, entire communities reconnect with their roots and ensure future generations can visit their ancestors with dignity.

The $10,000 will fund ongoing preservation efforts beyond this weekend's cleanup. It's an investment in cultural memory, ensuring these stories don't disappear under overgrowth and time.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Jed Duhon at 337-526-7815 or email contact@chloecemetery.org. The cemetery is located at 181 Manchester Road in Lake Charles.

Every volunteer who shows up this weekend becomes part of a bigger story about respect, remembrance, and community care.