Jessica Lunsford - Stone Monument

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Lunsford Monument to be Dedicated

St. Petersburg Times – online – Tampa Bay

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 20, 2005

HOMOSASSA SPRINGS - There will be a ceremony Friday evening to dedicate a special rock monument that All-Build General Contracting and Landscaping in Ogden, Utah, has designed, constructed and installed at the Faith Baptist Church in Homosassa Springs.

It is the church of Jessica Lunsford and her family. The monument features an etched glass image of Jessica and the inscription, "You know you are truly special when you are truly loved by so many people who never met you." The dedication will be at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the church, 6918 S Spartan Ave., Homosassa Springs. The ceremony will be taped and included in the WFTS-Ch. 11, ABC Action News one-hour program, Extreme Makeover: Jessica's Playground, which will be broadcast from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Hurricane Wilma May Shift Focus

From Lunsford Monument Dedication

By: Eddie Ramirez - Homosassa

St. Petersburg Times - Citrus Times

October 21, 2005 Friday

It might be a while longer before Tampa Bay area viewers can get a televised look at the Jessica Lunsford Memorial Playground. If so, blame Hurricane Wilma.

The much-publicized Sunday night broadcast featuring the memorial playground might be postponed if Hurricane Wilma hits anywhere in Florida over the weekend, said Lexington Homes regional manager Ed Frenette.

Frenette said ABC network executives will decide today whether to move forward with plans to air the hour long show titled Extreme Makeover: Playground Edition.

"The playground is done; my only concern is that if the hurricane hits Florida, the (show's airing) will be canceled," Frenette said.

Lexington Homes has coordinated the project from the start, generating much talk about the playground, which was built at Homosassa Elementary School and named in honor of the slain Homosassa third-grader.

The project is the culmination of the work of Jessica's father, Mark Lunsford, and the donations of area businesses and individuals.

Crews and volunteers have been busy all week long, putting the finishing touches on the playground. On Saturday, the school's old playground equipment lay on the ground, replaced by shiny slides and several new sets.

The work on the playground is now complete, Frenette said.

But he said ABC News would not be able to send a crew Sunday to take live shots of the playground if Hurricane Wilma pummels Florida. All news crews would likely be deployed to cover the storm, Frenette said.

Lexington Homes also built a home for a man shot and blinded in a RadioShack shooting late last year in Pinellas County as a segment of the ABC television show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

The local ABC Action News channel has been soliciting donations for the project; the Chrysler Championship PGA golf tournament has pledged to add 30 percent to all donations.

Officials said about $40,000 is still needed. The project cost $130,000 to $150,000.

Eddy Ramirez can be reached at eramirez@sptimes.com or 860-7305.

School Playground to Help Keep

Jessica Lunsford’s Memory Alive

an ABC Action News report 09/20/05

TAMPA - Jessica Lunsford’s favorite things were hats, dressing up, and going to the playground with friends. Now, a playground will be built in her memory on the elementary school grounds she once attended.

ABC Action News is proud to announce our Extreme Makeover: Jessica’s Playground. Jessica was kidnapped and killed earlier this year, and to help keep her remember her, we’re teaming up with Lexington Homes and Chrysler Championship Birdies for Tampa Bay Charities to build a playground in her name.

“To me, it means that the kids have something to smile about. They don’t have to walk around school missing their classmate,” Jessica’s father, Mark Lunsford, said. “They can go outside and they can have a playground that they can play on and they’ll realize there is a lot of good that come from a little bad.”

Tuesday, Mark met the men who will help make his dreams to honor Jessica’s memory come true.

“This was really a no-brainer for us,” explained Lexington Homes president Craig Gallagher, who has three sons of his own. “He was in our prayers. We knew what the family was going through.”

Another partner, Gerald Goodman, the director of the Chrysler Championship Tournament, has two daughters.

“It’s a nightmare. As you know, that’s one things you fear the most is them not being there. It’s a worthy cause for us to be part of,” he offered.

Lexington Homes, Chrysler Championships Birdies for Tampa Bay Charities, and ABC Action News are all committed to building the playground at Homosassa Elementary, but we need your help. If you’re interested in donating to this project, click on over to our Jessica’s Playground page.