New swings for Kortney’s Playground
BY CHRISTINE VARNO
Staff Writer

OCEANPORT –– In memory of 9-year-old Kortney Rose Gillette, the playground at Wolf Hill School in Oceanport will be named in her honor next month.

Kortney lost her battle with brainstem glioma on April 27, just four months after receiving the diagnosis, her mother, Kristen Gillette, recalls in a press release.

In memory of Kortney, a former student at the school, new playground equipment, including four new swings, will be installed before the new year, or shortly after, Gillette said.

A dedication ceremony for “Kortney’s Playground” will be scheduled for sometime in January, according to Gillette.

During Kortney’s fight against the illness, the Caring for Kortney Charity was established and from that the Kortney Rose Foundation was created.

“The first goal in our endeavor is to raise funds to improve the Wolf Hill School playground in Kortney’s memory,” said Gillette adding, “Kortney’s Playground costs about $16,000.”

The foundation has raised $12,000 to date and fundraising efforts have included a Kortney’s Challenge 2-mile run/walk event, a Lakewood Blue Claws game and donations from local coaches and students.

The playground equipment company, GameTime, has offered the foundation a special payment arrangement that will allow the foundation to pay the total cost over time, according to Gillette.

“This has made all the difference,” she said.

“I want an exciting play area in Kortney’s name, so I am grateful that GameTime made that possible,” Gillette said.

When Gillette suggested the idea for new equipment at the playground to the school, she said she was told there is a need for more swings.

“Kortney loved to swing and slide and just play, play, play with her friends,” Gillette said. “I wanted to do something that would honor her playful spirit and give back to the community of Oceanport who gave so willingly of themselves throughout our deal.

“Kortney’s Playground accomplishes that,” she said.

Once the playground equipment is installed, all monies raised by the foundation will go to raising funds to support research and education related to the treatment and cure of pediatric brain tumors.

For more information about the Kortney Rose Foundation, call Gillette at (732) 222-1491 or e-mail to kortneyroseorg@aol.com.