Hill Resident Collecting Donations for Gaithersburg Plane Crash Victims

A Hill resident is collecting donations for the Gaithersburg, Md. father and daughter who lost three members of their family and their home in the plane crash that killed six people on Monday.

When Hill resident Kyra DeBlaker-Gebhard heard news of the crash, she contacted a friend of the Gemmell family to ask how she and her neighbors could help Ken Gemmell, who was at work when the crash killed his wife, 3-year-old son and six-week-old son. His 7-year-old daughter was at school at the time.

“I’m just helping to facilitate what I’m sure we’re all thinking: let’s give to this family in need during a time of true giving,” said DeBlaker-Gebhard, who is a writer and editor. “I needed to do more than donate to the GoFundMe, which I did as soon as I learned about it … We are an amazing network of professionals and families, who I know would want to help by offering donations but may not be able to make the trip out to Germantown or Gaithersburg.”

Starting today, Hill residents can drop off donations at Metro Mutts (508 H St. NE and 407 8th St. SE) or contact DeBlaker-Gebhard by emailing [email protected].

The Gemmell family has asked for the following items:

• Gift cards to fast food and sit-down restaurants, coffee shops, gas cards, Visa gift cards
• School supplies
• Second grade-level books
• Toys for Arabelle

The family has received many clothing donations and is not accepting those now. The online account had raised more than $413,000 as of 3 p.m. today (Thursday).

“It’s not about me wanting to help. It’s about a little girl who will grow up without a mother. It’s about a father and husband who has to bury a wife and two young sons. It’s trying to help others who feel helpless in face of this tragedy,” DeBlaker-Gebhard said.

Photo via Facebook/Ken Gemmell