Playgrounds To Be Constructed In Honor Of Sandy Hook Victims, Including Victor Cruz Fan Jack Pinto

By: Kim O'Hara | Posted: February 17, 2013

Though not entirely football-related, the New Jersey State Firefighters' Mutual Benevolent Association (NJFMBA), New Jersey's largest firefighters union, has recently released plans to construct playgrounds in memory of the victims of both Hurricane Sandy and the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. 26 playgrounds, to correspond with the number of children and elementary school staff members who tragically lost their lives in December, will be developed in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, the three states most devastated by Hurricane Sandy in October. The project has been named the Sandy Ground Project: Where Angels Play.

Each playground will have a specific theme that will reflect the interests of one of the victims. You may recall that six year-old Jack Pinto was a huge fan of the New York Giants and Victor Cruz; his playground will have a football theme. NJ.com has a more in-depth look at the various themes that will be present in each of the 26 planned playgrounds. There is no word yet whether Cruz will make any contribution or time or finances to the playground's development. The NFJMBA website does mention a desire to reach out to celebrity endorsers, so it could potentially reach out to New Jersey-based organizations such as the New York Giants or New York Jets. Each park is projected to cost between $80,000 and $90,000, so whether or not you hold celebrity status, donations will be readily accepted. 

It's hard to imagine a more fitting memorial for these young victims than a series of playgrounds, where children in the three states most ravaged by Hurricane Sandy can spend carefree afternoons swinging and playing. Though 20 young children were robbed of such simple pleasures one tragic Friday morning, thousands more will be granted a safe haven to simply enjoy their childhood. 

If you would like to make a donation, volunteer or learn more about the Sandy Ground Project, please visit the NJFMBA's website. 

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