Dozens of volunteers spent Saturday cleaning the Old Robstown Cemetery after heavy rains left the historic burial grounds overgrown.

ROBSTOWN, Texas — What began as concerns over overgrown conditions at one of Robstown’s oldest cemeteries turned into a community-wide effort to restore the historic site.

Volunteers gathered Saturday morning at the Old Robstown Cemetery to clear tall grass, weeds and brush that had overtaken the burial grounds following weeks of heavy rainfall. Organizers estimate between 20 and 25 people came out to help with the cleanup effort.

RELATED: Volunteers to clean up historic Old Robstown Cemetery after heavy rains leave grounds overgrown

The cemetery, located along Highway 77, serves as the final resting place for generations of Robstown families, including several World War II veterans.

For years, Freddy Gonzalez has worked to maintain the cemetery largely on his own, caring not only for his family’s gravesites but also for the surrounding grounds.

“I just felt that it was my responsibility, along with everybody else that have family here,” Gonzalez previously told 3NEWS. “Really nobody was wanting to help, or they were busy doing other things.”

However, after recently undergoing surgery, Gonzalez said he could no longer keep up with the work himself.

After hearing about Gonzalez’s situation, Ray’s Cafe owner Rey Molina stepped in to organize a community cleanup effort. Molina, members of the Gonzalez family and local leaders spread the word across social media, encouraging residents to volunteer.

The response exceeded expectations.

“Very proud of the guys and the community that came by. A lot of volunteers — it was a great turnout,” Molina said. “It started two days ago, so everybody started doing their part.”

In addition to those cutting grass and clearing weeds, community members donated food, drinks and supplies for volunteers working through the South Texas heat.

Organizers say the cleanup effort is only the beginning and hope to continue maintaining the cemetery to prevent conditions from deteriorating again after future rains.

For many involved, the effort was about more than landscaping; it was about preserving local history and honoring the generations of families and veterans laid to rest there.