Family, Friends of Boat Crash Victims Plan Fundraiser for Memorial, Programs

The Lindsey Stewart and Mark Lennon Memorial Fund, set up after the boating accident that claimed their lives in 2013, has organized as a charitable organization and is planning a fundraiser. 

The 501-C3 designation was gained with the help of the Rockland Community Foundation.

The fundraising effort seeks to build a lighthouse on the Rockland side of the Hudson River, and also to support meaningful causes in Rockland such as boating safety courses.

Mark Lennon of Pearl River and Lindsey Stewart of Piermont were both killed when the speed boat they were riding in collided with a construction barge near the Tappan Zee Bridge July 26, 2013 The driver of the boat, JoJo John of Nyack, faces criminal charges and the families have filed a wrongful-death lawsuit alleging lack of proper lighting on the barge.

Here's the Fund's full press release:

The Lindsey Stewart and Mark Lennon Memorial Fund is planning a fundraiser for Sunday, May 18th from 2pm – 7pm at the Holiday Inn of Orangeburg. The fund was created to honor the memories of Lindsey Stewart and Mark Lennon who lost their lives when the boat they were in crashed into a construction vessel under the Tappan Zee Bridge on the Hudson River on July 26, 2013.

 Organizers expect more than 250 people from Rockland and Westchester counties to attend what will be their final fundraising effort. The money raised will be used to construct a lighthouse as a beacon of light as well as help to provide boating safety courses and other safety measures to prevent future tragedies on the Hudson River.  Admission to the fundraiser is free and a variety of appetizers will be served. The Holiday Inn is located at 329 Route 303 in Orangeburg. 

Organizers are asking for donations of items, services and gift certificates that will be raffled or auctioned at the evening event. Businesses or individuals interested in contributing are asked to send a message to their fund’s Facebook page, an email to lindseymarkmemorialfund@gmail.com or to P.O Box 982, Pearl River, NY 10965.

The fund has partnered with the Rockland Community Foundation and as of March 5, 2013 is officially recognized as a non-for-profit 501(c)3 charitable fund. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. To send a monetary donation, checks can be made payable to the Lindsey Stewart and Mark Lennon Memorial Fund and mailed to the Rockland Community Foundation at P.O Box 323, New City, NY 10956.