Crowdfunding yields nearly $500K for family of NJ native, two sons killed in plane crash

A Rowan University graduate who grew up in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, and her two sons were among those killed last week when a business jet crashed into their Gaithersburg, Maryland, home.

Now, a campaign on the crowdfunding website GoFundMe is taking donations for the family of Marie Gemmell and her two sons, 3-year-old Cole and 1-month-old Devin.

Jenifer Miller, who set up the GoFundMe page, said she hopes the donations will give Gemmell’s husband, Ken, and the couple’s daughter, Arabelle, less to worry about after the tragedy.

“Obviously, no amount of money that we raise will ever bring back Marie, Cole, and Devin. And it is just money. However … besides the passing away of their loved ones, they were left with no home and no belongings,” Miller said.

So far, the page has raised more than $460,000.

Miller, who knew the family from serving them at a local bar where she works, said she was amazed by how quickly the money has come in.

“This has touched so many people for so many different reasons. And it’s all over the place. It’s unbelievable the outpouring of generosity from these people that don’t even know the family,” she said.

Three people on the plane also died in the crash.