SILVER SPRING, Md. — A week and a half after a plane crash in Gaithersburg claimed the lives of Marie Gemmell and her two young boys, Cole and Devin, there was laughter at a fundraiser Thursday night for her surviving family.
Kids enjoyed a giant inflatable slide, games and a magic show at the Pop-Up Playzone in Silver Spring.
Co-owner Andrew Ross doesn’t know the Gemmell family personally, but says their story hit home because he is a father: “I just couldn’t imagine what would happen if I was in that situation.”
Admission was $10 per person, and Lilly Magilly’s聽Cupcakery and Carmen’s Italian Ice donated everything they collected from sales of their treats.
There鈥檚 no word yet how much money was raised.
Sara Carlson and her friend brought their young daughters to the event and made it a playdate.
“It really could be anybody anywhere that a plane crashes into their house,鈥� Carlson said.聽鈥淲hen that happens it’s just one of those freaky, tragic things and we just wanted to all come out and show support and help out.”
Asked why she came, Lisa Pozsgay got emotional as she held her infant son. “One of their kids was basically his age, so it really hit home seeing pictures,” she said.
Another is planned聽Monday at Dogfish Head Alehouse in Gaithersburg.
As of Thursday night, had raised an incredible $474,000.
And Ken Gemmell’s employer, Savi Technology, has established for the couple’s surviving daughter, Arabelle, that has collected more than $19,000.
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