Farmingdale Fundraiser To Benefit Students Hurt In High School Bus Crash

FARMINGDALE, NY — The Over the Hill Gang Softball League's annual fundraiser, scheduled for Friday night at Allen Park, will benefit students injured in the Farmingdale High School marching band bus crash tragedy last September.

The fundraiser supports a different cause each year, featuring raffles, live music, pizza, heros, ice cream, face painting, and more, as the 40-and-older softball league plays a round of games. The festivities are scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

The Over the Hill Gang Charity's goal is to "provide financial assistance to local families whose lives and livelihoods have been impacted by tragedy and hardship," according to a flyer. All proceeds support whichever cause is chosen.

On Sept. 21, a bus carrying the Farmingdale High School marching band crashed and tumbled down a 50-foot ravine, killing the school’s band director, Gina Pellettiere, 43, and retired teacher, Beatrice "Bea" Ferrari, 77. The band was headed to Greeley, Pennsylvania, for its annual band camp. The crash injured dozens of students.

"The legacies that were left behind by Gina and Bea and the resilience of those students injured in the crash are a testament to lives well lived in service to others," Paul Defendini, superintendent of the Farmingdale School District, told Patch. "Now, nearly one year later, to have yet another group of outstanding men recommit themselves to those who are still struggling speaks volumes about our community. My heartfelt thanks go out to those in charge of the Over the Hill Gang for this heartfelt gesture, and I hope we all make the time to show our support by attending this Friday night."

The Over the Hill Gang Charity, on its flyer, noted that several students were seriously injured, and each one of them "have endured emotional trauma since the accident."

Defendini said he spoke with leadership from the Over the Hill Gang and that the league would like the money split evenly between the families on the bus that crashed.

"The money from the fundraiser will be sent to the district and we will redistribute the funds to the families," Defendini said.

The entire community mourned the losses of Pellettiere and Ferrari while supporting their families, as well as the students who suffered physical and emotional wounds in the crash.

Allen Park is at 45 Motor Ave., Farmingdale.

A rain date is scheduled for Aug. 2.

Related:

• Thank You, 'Ms. P': Honoring The Music Teacher And Her Impact On Us
• Gina Pellettiere's Rise To Farmingdale Band Director
• 'Remarkable': Farmingdale HS Marching Band Performs 2 Weeks After Tragic Bus Crash
• Remembering Gina Pellettiere: Farmingdale Band Students Share Memories
• Farmingdale HS Marching Band Performs 2 Weeks After Tragic Bus Crash
• 'Life Of The Party': Beloved Farmingdale Music Teacher Laid To Rest
• 'The Most Beautiful Soul': Farmingdale's Bea Ferrari Mourned
• Eat Pizza, Help Farmingdale Marching Band: 100 LI Pizzerias Join Cause
• McDonald's To Donate To Farmingdale HS Marching Band
• Nearly $3K More Raised For 'Ms. P's' Son At 2nd Farmingdale Fundraiser
• Fundraisers For 'Ms. P's' Son, Farmingdale Students Hurt In Bus Crash
• Adventureland To Host Farmingdale Marching Band At Park For Free
• Step By Step Dance Studio Of Farmingdale Raises $2,450 For 2 Causes
• LI Students Critically Injured In Bus Crash In 'Less Critical Care'