Washington School Raising Funds for Special Playground
When third grader Victoria Gaines lost her life after the boat she was riding in capsized on July 4 following a fireworks show in Oyster Bay, the Washington Primary School community was devastated.
Ms. Gaines was among the 27 adults and children aboard the 34 foot, 1984 Silverton cabin cruiser when it sank off of Lloyd Neck following the departure of about 1,000 boats headed for their home ports at about 10 p.m. Two other children also perished in the disaster.
The Washington School community is determined to perpetuate Ms. Gaines' memory in a special way. An effort is underway to raise monies for the purchase and installation of new playground equipment in the youngster's honor at the school. A fundraising committee has been organized with the goal of having the new items ready for use sometime next spring.
Organizers of the memorial playground effort said that 100 percent of all funds raised will be used to purchase the new equipment.