Fundraisers For 'Ms. P's' Son, Farmingdale Students Hurt In Bus Crash

FARMINGDALE, NY — The Farmingdale community, mourning the loss of two school district educators, has rallied to make a difference for those impacted by Thursday's deadly bus crash.

Gina Pellettiere and Beatrice "Bea" Ferrari were killed when the bus carrying the Farmingdale High School marching band to Greeley, Pennsylvania, for an annual band camp crashed and tumbled down a 50-foot ravine in Orange County.

Pellettiere, 43, Massapequa, was the single mother of a 2-year-old son, Joseph. She was also the band director at Farmingdale High School. Ferrari, 77, of Farmingdale, was a retired teacher who went to band camp as a chaperone. Services were announced for both.

The crash rocked the Farmingdale community, as many students are mourning the losses of Pellettiere and Ferrari.

The Dalers community rallied around those impacted most by the crash, raising money for Joseph, as well as the students injured. Check out some of the fundraisers below, which have all been verified by GoFundMe or FundtheFirst:

Joseph Emmanuel Pellettiere

This fundraiser for Joseph, who will grow up without his mother, has raised around $74K as of Wednesday afternoon. It was created by Josephine Greco on Monday.

"A loving mother," Greco wrote. "A passionate teacher. A laugh and smile that will be forever cherished. A personality that could light up a town. A reliable friend. A mentor. Skilled musician. Fearless. Ambitious. Full of life. Irreplaceable. On September 21, 2023, Joseph lost his mother, Gina Rose Pellettiere, suddenly and tragically in the Farmingdale, NY marching band bus accident."

Pellettiere was Joseph's sole provider. The GoFundMe was created to help the Pellettiere maintain the quality of life he had while his mother was alive.

"Let us continue to carry on Gina’s legacy of love and light by contributing to Joseph’s GoFundMe page," Greco wrote.

Expenses for Victims of Farmingdale HS Bus Crash

Five students were critically injured — but are now receiving "less critical care," state police said — in the bus crash, while more than 40 others were hurt.

"As we continue to keep these students, teachers and their loved ones in our prayers, we also understand the expenses that will follow in medical treatments, therapy, food insecurity etc.," wrote Nick Tangorra, who organized the fundraiser, which has raised more than $37K as of Wednesday afternoon. It was set up late last week.

The page was verified by Beth Mignone of the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, as well as GoFundMe. It was created to offset the potential costs for the victims and their families in the coming weeks.

Tangorra said he is a Long Islander who serves as president of the not-for-profit charity, "Rock Out Autism." He is also on the board for the "Towers of Freedom 9/11 Military Monument" in John J. Burns Park in Massapequa.

"I have a desire to always want to give back to my community," he wrote. "When I saw the gut wrenching news, as a musician and previous member of the music club in my high school, I wanted to help."

Betts Family Expenses from Farmingdale HS Bus Crash

Jennifer Rubino created this fundraiser on Tuesday for her sister and her family. It has raised more than $32K as of Wednesday afternoon.

The Betts family had both of their daughters involved in the crash: Natalie, who is a senior in Farmingdale High School, and Ashley, who is a freshman.

Ashley was one of the girls who was critically injured. She suffered multiple fractures and injuries, including a broken clavicle, broken shoulder/scapula, broken jaw which will require surgery this week, a broken humorous, a partially collapsed lung, a concussion, several small c-spine and t-spine fractures (TP fractures) in neck and spine, fractured vertebrae, fractured sternum, fractured ribs, an injured neck artery which flows blood to the brain, as well as several cuts and bruises. She also suffered emotional and mental stress.

"Ashley has a long road to recovery ahead of her," Rubino wrote.

Natalie has a concussion, large cut on her forehead which required 13 stitches, soft tissue damage to her neck and lower back, a bruised shoulder, hips, head, and entire left side of the body, Rubino said.

"She is also suffering with severe PTSD from this accident and will require a lot of therapy," Rubino said. "She remembers quite a bit and was the one who found and saved her sister's life. She’s a true hero."

She was discharged on Monday but requires lots of follow up care, according to Rubino. Both girls started in Westchester Medical Center but Ashley has now moved to Cohen Children’s Medical Center closer to home.

"As we continue to keep all the students, teachers and their loved ones in our prayers, we also understand the expenses that will follow in medical treatments, therapy, food, etc.This GoFundMe is created in an effort to help with the costs for the Betts family during this challenging time. 100% of the money raised will go directly to the Betts family."

Audrina’s Road to Recovery!

The fundraiser was made by Catherine O’Halloran, who is best friends with the sister of Audrina, a student who was badly injured in the bus crash.

The page has raised over $30K as of Wednesday.

"Audrina was rushed to a nearby hospital with severe injuries and transferred by medvac to Cohens Children’s Hospital," O'Halloran wrote. "She is currently in the PICU, and going in for surgery. Audrina has multiple fractures to her neck and spine with multiple lacerations all over her body as well. She has a very long road to recovery. Audrina is an exceptional kid, that dedicates and spends her time with the Farmingdale Fire Department Junior Brigade training, learning and hoping to one day be a full member and to become a firefighter/EMT.

"Her older sister is a dedicated member and captain of Hicksville FD EMS. And her grandfather was an ex captain of Hose Co #4 with the Hicksville Fire Department. They are a family of service, always willing to run out the door to help everyone else’s family and complete strangers. It’s our time to come together for them & take some of the weight off of their shoulders while they tend to Audrina’s needs and recovery and allow mom to take all the time off she needs to be with her daughter."

If you know of any other fundraising pages supporting those impacted by the bus crash, please email Michael.DeSantis@patch.com.