The Tamina Cemetery and Community Development Corporation is now eligible to receive a $50,000 donation from The Woodlands-based Huntsman Corporation, following a Sweet Rest Cemetery Rally on June 30.

The Tamina Cemetery Project and Community Development Corporation is a nonprofit spearheaded by former Tamina resident, Elijah Easley, to salvage Sweet Rest Cemetery, a 12-acre cemetery that was established in the 1870s and contains roughly 250 grave sites of former slaves, Native Americans, law enforcement officers and military veterans. Due to drainage issues, the cemetery is submerged under standing water and has lain dormant for more than a decade, according to Easley. This is what the Tamina Cemetery Project and CDC is working to rectify, he said.

The Tamina Cemetery Project and CDC was notified in late May that the Huntsman Corporation had pledged to donate $50,000 to their cause, if the Tamina community was able to raise $5,000 themselves. At that time, the organization had raised roughly $2,400.

In hopes of raising the remaining funds, the nonprofit hosted a cemetery rally at the Tamina Park on Saturday, featuring live entertainment, local vendors and a barbecue lunch. According to Easley, although a total is still being calculating, the organization surpassed it's $5,000 goal by more than $15,000 as of July 3.

"We are so amazed how people from all communities became one community on Saturday [for] the cause of preserving Montgomery County history," Easley said.


Peter R. Huntsman, Huntsman Corporation chairman, president and CEO said he echoed Easley's enthusiasm.

"We are delighted with the outpouring of community support for the Tamina Cemetery Project [and CDC]," Huntsman said. "This is a wonderful partnership between a local business and a caring community, both of which will be needed to see this restoration through. We are proud of our involvement at Huntsman Corporation and encourage other local businesses to consider joining our collective efforts."

For more information about the Tamina Cemetery Project and CDC, call 832-342-0404 or click here. Donations can be made online or by mail, to 4747 Research Forest Drive, Ste. 180, #189, The Woodlands.