Remembering Madeleine at her playground

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On July 11, 2024, Madeleine Hsu would have turned 18 years old, had she not tragically lost her life during the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 14, 2012. Yet, her life was still celebrated on July 11 by the greater West Islip community during the annual Family Night at West Islip Beach.

After Hurricane Sandy and the Sandy Hook shooting, the Where Angels Play Foundation was founded to provide hope, recovery, and a return to family values in the wake of senseless violence and tragedy. Its first tribute initiative, The Sandy Ground Project, was completed in just 18 months, in which 26 playgrounds were built in Hurricane Sandy-destroyed communities—one to honor the memory of each teacher or student lost that day in Newtown, Conn.

The Where Angels Play Foundation, the Town of Islip, and countless volunteers from West Islip united to build a new park at West Islip Beach in memory of Madeleine Hsu 10 years ago. Funded by various organizations and built with donated material from local businesses, West Islip volunteers played a vital role in bringing the playground to life.

The playground is purple with pink accents in honor of Madeleine’s favorite colors. A “give a book, get a book” library box is built next to the playground, as Madeleine loved to read.

Each year, the West Islip community celebrates her life and the anniversary of the playground’s construction by holding a Family Night at West Islip Beach. With games, arts and crafts, striker bells, temporary tattoos, and even a dunk tank, the children attending had a blast participating in activities and playing on the playground. Adults also had their own fun listening to music from the DJ, enjoying a variety of food trucks, and a raffle wheel.

“The park was not used much before, but now ever since this playground was built, it is full all the time,” said Suffolk County Legis. Steve Flotteron, who initially brought the Where Angels Play Foundation to West Islip 10 years ago while he served as an Islip Town councilman.

“My kids play down here with the Little League games,” said Islip Town councilman Mike McElwee. “It is such a nice event because all the organizations in West Islip get involved. The Little League team is here, the fire department, the West Islip Beautification Society, Youth Enrichment Services, Women of West Islip, the Historical Society, Islip Arts Council. It brings everyone together for a nice event.”

Indeed, the Family Night reminded all attendees to remember that life is precious, and allowed the community to celebrate their efforts of honoring Madeleine and spreading joy in the wake of tragedy.