Scores pay tribute to 4 who died in crash
Crowds gather at vigil, dinner fundraiser in the city
KINGSTON>> Scores of people attended a spaghetti dinner Sunday afternoon at Pointe of Praise Church for a fundraiser for the funerals of the victims of Wednesday’s car crash in Saugerties.
Some stopped to eat, while others simply left cash donations, but all wanted to lend a helping hand in whatever way they could.
And crowds gathered Saturday night at the corner of Henry and Sterling streets for a vigil that started at 7 p.m. Candles were still burning Sunday morning.
Dante Crump, 22, of Kingston, Adam (Jeff) McQueen, 22, of Ulster Park, Kaireem Meeks Jr., 24, of Kingston, and Jonté Clark, 26, of Kingston, were
all killed when the car they were riding in went down an embankment of more than 100 feet, struck a house and landed on its roof on Dock Street in Saugerties.
The driver of the car, 19-year-old Meredith McSpirit of Kingston, suffered a fractured spine in the accident and was taken to Albany Medical Center. She was listed in stable condition Friday.
Ralphine Childs, the church’s Youth Program Director and wife of Pointe of Praise’s Pastor James Childs, said she was very pleased at the constant stream of people stopping in. And she added that support has come from folks of all different backgrounds all across the community.
“Everyone has the overwhelming, overarching theme that they just wanted to support this cause, so that we can be a blessing to these families,” she said.
She said she first got involved with the fundraising efforts in her role working with the church’s community and youth efforts.
She said a Wednesday night youth group, discussed the tragedy at length.
“They just wanted to help in some way to do something to help these families,” she said. “And they landed on this effort.”
“As head of the youth group here, I said ‘yes let’s do it,’” she said.
She said this show of support just feels good, and she hopes it helps the families in some small way in the healing process.
Jordan Childs, 25, of Kingston, said the constant stream of folks coming to the fundraiser shows that the community possesses a lot of love
He said he knew all of the victims to varying degrees.
He said he was in a physical education class with McQueen when he was a senior at Kingston High School, and his little brother went to school with Crump, adding he had also known Meeks Jr. and Clark as well.
He said he hopes the fundraising efforts can take a really bad situation, and makes things a little better by taking the financial burden off the families.
Pastor James Childs said he just wanted to serve a community in need.
“People really responded with a lot of love,” he said.
Calling hours for Dante Crump were held Sunday at the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home, 27 Smith Ave., Kingston.
Crump’s funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at King’s Fire Church, 865 Neighborhood Road, Lake Katrine.
Kaireem Meeks Jr.’s funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Riverview Baptist Church, 240 Catherine St., Kingston, preceded by visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, according to the Simpson-Gaus Funeral Home in Kingston.
Calling hours for Adam (Jeff) McQueen will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. next Saturday at the Leahy Funeral Home. His funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club, 139 Greenkill Ave., Kingston.
Calling hours for Jonte “S.P.” Clark will be noon to 1 p.m. Friday at the Pointe of Praise Church, 243 Hurley Ave., Kingston, immediately followed by a homegoing celebration, according to the Leahy Funeral Home. Clark will be cremated at the Wiltwyck Crematory in Kingston.
A GoFundMe page launched Wednesday evening seeks to raise $22,000 to pay for the victims’ funerals. As of 4:20 p.m. Sunday, $15,568 had been raised. The page was created by Tasyka DeRosalia, whose son played football with Crump.
On Sept. 26, the Adam (Jeff) McQueen Memorial 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament will be held in Donlon Auditorium, 43 Partition St., Saugerties, to raise money for the McQueen family. A ceremony is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., and games will begin at 2 p.m.
The cost is $50 per team of three or four players if paid ahead of time, $75 on the day of the tournament. To register, text “Registration” to (845) 389-9023.