Tulsa Nonprofit Empowers Disabled Individuals Through Veterans' Headstone Cleaning

A Tulsa area nonprofit is helping people with disabilities learn life skills while honoring veterans.

All year long, Folks with A New Leaf come out here to clean the headstones of those who have served our country. As Veterans Day approaches, their mission becomes more impactful.

Some are buried under fallen leaves, and some are covered in dirt and dust, but these headstones won't stay that way.

"A lot of work, all day, the cleaning, the water, the soap,” says Ashley Pennington.

She’s putting in a lot of hard work to show respect to the veterans buried here.

"So even when the weather's cold, weather's hot, our clients with A New Leaf are here to make sure those veteran headstones are polished and cleaned," said Jessica Heimdale with A New Leaf.

She says the men and women here are learning life skills and earning money, all while helping the Shining Honor Project.

"They really take a lot of pride in their job, so this particularly is just a great way for them to really show respect, but they take so much pride in doing this job," said Heimdale.

It takes a whole crew armed with brushes and spray bottles to clean hundreds of headstones a year.

"The grass will grow up around them pretty far, and we got to clear away all the grass, then we use a special spray that keeps the mold from coming back on them," said Nikkie Patterson.

She comes out here with the team at least once a week.

"There's a whole process to it, but it's therapeutic, I think," said Patterson.

Clients of A New Leaf clean these headstones every week, but it means a little more as we get ready to honor those who have served this Veterans Day.

"It's beautiful, it's pretty," said Ashley Pennington.

It's a humble task without much thanks, but the work done today has a shining impact.