RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Oakwood Cemetery has raised more than $31,000 to restore Confederate monuments and graves that were damaged by vandal, the cemetery said Monday.

The vandalism happened Dec. 30.

The cemetery’s initial goal was $23,000 to repair the monuments.

The Society for the Preservation of Historic Oakwood donated $5,000, the cemetery said. Other donations have poured in in the recent weeks.

“The Cemetery has been a friend to our neighborhood for decades upon decades, and we wanted to help our friend in need,” said Sandra Scherer, president of the Society for the Preservation of Historic Oakwood. “Oakwood Cemetery generously welcomes our community as a place to walk, bike, hold annual neighborhood events, and find solitude on its beautiful grounds.”

Because of the overwhelming success of this fundraising campaign, the cemetery has set up a Restoration Fund to  restore the nine vandalized monuments but fund additional preservation of aging or damaged stones.

“Oakwood Cemetery is grateful for the donations that have poured in from around the country, that have been made in honor or in memory of those whom we hold dear, and for the kindness of our own neighbors, who truly helped to make a difference when we needed it the most,” said Robin Simonton, Executive Director of Historic Oakwood Cemetery.

If anyone would like to donate to the Cemetery’s Restoration Fund, they may mail in a check to PO Box 26867 Raleigh, NC 27611, or visit the CrowdRise online fundraising account at: https://www.crowdrise.com/graffitiremovalfromv/fundraiser/robinsimonton.