LIVINGSTON COUNTY – A GoFundMe.com fundraising page created when two young brothers were found deceased in the Genesee River below Lower Falls has seen such an incredible outpouring of community donations that it has exceeded its goal by $10,000.
Dylan Giangregorio, 9, and Preston Giangregorio, 6, both tragically died when they were swept over the lower falls with five other family members. The crowdfunding site originally set a campaign goal of $20,000 but has raised $30,649 from 604 donors in the past 14 days.
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“If you have mailed a check or cash… I am getting them posted under offline donations so that you will see that they have been received,” posted the page. “I should be done later today with what has been received at the PO Box so far. Thank you so much…. Your generosity is overwhelming.”
Donations have come from dear friends and family and faraway strangers alike. People as far away as Texas have donated to the page.
The family said that the fateful day, June 11, the boys were at the park for a picnic with their three cousins, their aunts and uncle.
“Sarah and the family needs your help to put these boys to rest,” posted the childrens’ great-grandmother to GoFundMe. “They were normal active little boys with a healthy quest for adventure. Dylan loved school and was a 3rd grader at Brockport Central School, where he enjoyed sports and reading, especially ’39 Clues.’ Preston also attended Brockport Central School and was in Kindergarten. He loved Ninja Turtles and he loved to dance! They both loved the out doors and the pool and swimming. And everyone loved them! They were smart and silly…they loved to make faces at each other and play video games. They loved their sister and their mom and nanny and papa, their grandparents and aunts, uncles and cousins. They were so proud of their mom when she got her nursing degree and cheered for her in the audience. They were part of a very close knit extended family and the space they leave is the size of a universe. The pain the family feels is unbearable and we need your help.”
The page has been shared 5,300 times and counting on Facebook. Donors and well wishers are posting their condolences to the family.
“Many prayers go out to this family…People shouldn’t judge,” posted LauraSteve Schwitzer. “I know what it is like to loose a child in your family accidents happen no matter how closely you watch them…RIP angels.”