The Foundation
has obtained and loaned over 40 instruments already and is
seeking more. If you would like to donate a band instrument,
whether in need of repair or not, or if interested in making a
monetary donation, please e-mail
Crystal Creasey.
If you have a
rising 6th grader or upper grades at
Staunton River Middle School or High School and are in need
of an instrument please let Crystal Creasey, Mr. Galyen, the
band director at the middle school or Mr. Reamey, the band
director at the high school know. Any grade levels are welcome
if in need. This foundation has branched out to other schools in
Bedford County, Franklin County, Roanoke County, Roanoke City,
and even Richmond. If you are from another school in the area
and know of a child who needs an instrument, please contact us.
There is an application also on the home page.
Ginni's Life
Ginni was born February 10, 1987,
completely healthy except for a cleft nostril and
microthalmic eye. That means she could not see out of her
left eye and would have to have artificial eyes periodically
throughout her life. She was scheduled for cleft repair
surgery 3 months after she was born. She got through that
beautifully. She had to have surgery again when she was 12
for eyelid and nasal repair. She had a total of 5 artificial
eyes throughout her short life.
Everyone was amazed at how well she did.
She was into cheerleading for seven years during elementary
years. She then joined the marching band in eighth grade
where she played the flute. She loved that so much she
remained and gave up the cheerleading aspect. She decided
that she wanted to become a band director and graphic
designer. She had also gotten into art and was getting to be
quite good at it. Her junior year, she became co-section
leader of the marching band and played the piccolo. She did
such a good job that she lead the flutes to victory where
they became section of the year. However, she did not learn
of her success.
She loved to travel and got to visit many places. Indiana,
Ohio, West Virginia, Florida, D.C., Georgia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi,
and Louisiana and all across Virginia were some places she
got to travel to. She especially loved our time share at
Treasure Island, FLA. She also loved to visit Massanutten.
She was very smart and made pretty good
grades. Her freshman year, she was nominated to be a People
to People Ambassador and her sophomore year to Who's Who
Among American High School Students. She did not get to be
an ambassador to Europe due to the 9/11 tragedy. She was
also nominated her junior year for Who's Who as well. Her
biography and memorial is in the Who's Who yearbook for
2004-2005.
I was reluctant to have her learn to
drive. But she succeeded by making 100% on her driver exam
and by having an instructor with sight only in one eye as
well. She had been driving for one year. On March 1, 2004,
she and 4 of her friends set out to have dinner. They did
not make it to dinner. They were in a tragic accident where
she and 2 of her friends lost their lives. It was nobody's
fault, just an accident.
What has helped me is knowing that she
was a good Christian girl and always willing to lend a
helping hand to all she knew. She loved going to Virginia
Christian Camp and had many friends there. She also had many
friends throughout her life. She never met a stranger.
Ginni will always be remembered. She was
an extraordinary girl.
Written by Ginni's Mom, Crystal
This article was in the
Smith Mountain Lake Eagle, May 2004.