Friends, Strangers Donate More Than $340K to Plane Crash Family

» Marie Gemmell and sons Cole and Devon, courtesy of Facebook; and federal investigators at the crash scene, from the National Transportation Safety Board’s Twitter feed.

Montgomery County residents horrified by the freak plane crash that killed a Gaithersburg mother and her two sons and demolished their house are pitching in with fundraisers to help the family.

An online fundraiser via a GoFundMe account to help Ken Gemmell and his daughter, Arabelle, had more than $340,000 raised by nearly 8,000 donors by Wednesday afternoon.

Marie Gemmell, 36, and her sons, Cole Gemmell, 3, and Devon Gemmell, 1 ½ months, were all killed in their house in the 19700 block of Drop Forge Lane, authorities said. Montgomery County Police say they died of smoke inhalation.

A twin-engine 10-passenger plane crashed Monday near houses on Drop Forge Lane near Blue Smoke Lane, killing three people in the plane, as well as the Gemmell family. The crash site is less than a mile from the Montgomery County Airpark.

Gemmell’s husband, Kenneth, 36, was at work, and their 5-year-old daughter, Arabelle, was at school at the time of the crash.

The mother and children were found in the second floor bathroom. Gemmell was lying on top of her kids apparently to shield her children from the crash and the fire, according to USA Today.

Surviving Husband, Father Shares Needs

Jenifer Miller of Silver Spring, a waitress at Dogfish Head Aleshouse acquainted with the Gemmell family, was so struck by the horror of the accident that she started the online effort. Her goal was to raise $10,000 for the family.

“I have waited on them a few times at Dogfishhead Alehouse,” she told Montgomery Community Media, describing the family as “regulars.”

“They are very kind people and not just to the staff but to each other. They are very attentive with their children and they way the look at each other as a couple, they are so cute and kind,” Miller said.

“I am a mother of five and all I thought was as a human being if I were ever in any kind of situation not even of this magnitude I would hope someone would have it in their heart to do it for me,” she said.

Miller said Kenneth Gemmell called the restaurant Monday evening to talk to her when he found out about the fundraising, and the two briefly spoke since then.

“It was so unexpected (to hear from Gemmell) I could go the rest of this life and he not say anything to me and I would understand,” Miller said.

Miller said she plans to keep the GoFundMe account operating until Gemmell instructs her to take it down.

To donate to the gofundme effort, visit the Gemmell family page here.

Other Fundraisers, Drop-Off Sites

In addition to the online fundraiser, Kid’sTown Learning Center at 18815 Waring Station Road in Germantown is also accepting donations for the family. Donations could include size 8 girls’ clothing, size 2 girls’ shoes, toys and school supplies, as well as men’s size large shirts, pants size 36×30; shoes size 10. Gift cards are also being requested from Target, Walmart, quick serve restaurants, coffee shops, gas stations, grocery stores and drug stores. The drop-off location is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Jill Lyons, director at Kid’s Town Learning Center, said online: “Thank you all for the overwhelming outpouring of support for the Gemmell family.”

She said Ken Gemmell told her toiletries, school supplies, books for a second-grader, and small toys would also be appreciated.

A community event in Germantown is also hoping to raise money for the Gemmell family.

Pop Up Play Zone at 2211 Bel Pre Road in Silver Spring is asking for a $10 donation for the Gemmell family in exchange for two hours of fun on all the inflatables there. The event is scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 18. Food vendors will also be on-hand to donate proceeds to the family.

“We saw the story and I feel like he has a similar to mine before this happened – he is from New Jersey, he has an 8-year-old and he lives in Gaithersburg,” said Andy Ross, owner of Pop Up Play Zone along with partner Eric Knaus of The Great Zucchini.

Gentleman Jim’s restaurant at 18917 Earhart Court in Gaithersburg and Soldierfit Gym at 18945 Bonanza Way in Gaithersburg are taking donations for the family, as well.

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