Playground built to commemorate life of 3-year-old boy in Point Pleasant Borough
Bill Lavin, founder of Where Angels Play Foundation, is overseeing the hundreds of volunteers assembled at the Point Pleasant Boro Rec Center - all to honor a little boy named Billy Paterno.
An organization that has built playgrounds across the country in honor of those who have passed is helping another family in Ocean County with the loss of their child.
Bill Lavin, founder of Where Angels Play Foundation, is overseeing the hundreds of volunteers assembled at the Point Pleasant Boro Rec Center - all to honor a little boy named Billy Paterno.
“It's bittersweet, but we feel it's a triumph over tragedy,” said Lavin.
“We always worry that he will be forgotten, and this is a beautiful way to make sure that doesn't happen,” said Bill Paterno, Billy's dad.
Billy died two years ago from leukemia.
This will be the 73rd playground constructed by volunteers, built by mostly firefighters who came from Boston, New York, the Carolinas, and even Tennessee.
“All the local families will know his name and remember him this way,” said Paterno.
The foundation was formed after the Sandy Hook shootings in 2012. First grade teacher Victoria Soto gave her own life shielding her students.
Her dad, Carlos, not only helped build her own memorial playground, but travels with the foundation to comfort other parents of tragedies.
“She saved 17 kids. From something I call it ugly that happened, something beautiful is going to come out of it,” said Carlos Soto.
With sponsorship from Jersey Mike's, all playground expenses are covered.
The volunteers donate their own time and travel to make sure people like 3-year-old Billy will always be remembered.
By the end of this week, more than 300 volunteers will have helped put the Angel playground together.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Point Boro Rec Center.
“Now this is his forever, so the angels will be playing here,” said Paterno.
