CHIMACUM — The drowning of an 11-year-old girl who was swept into the Pacific Ocean with her brother by a vicious riptide has prompted a community effort to support the family financially and emotionally.
“This is what we do for our community members — we take care of them,” said Chimacum High School Principal Whitney Meissner, who is organizing a meals program for the grieving family.
“When someone faces a crisis or is grieving, we all step up.”
Lindsey Mustread’s body was found washed ashore Saturday morning about a mile south of where she had been wading Thursday off Bolstad Beach on the Long Beach Peninsula of Southwest Washington.
Lindsey, her brother Kenneth Mustread, 10, and their cousin Jordan Boyd were wading in the water together when all three were knocked down by a wave, according to a statement issued by the family Monday.
(Authorities previously identified Kenneth as 9 years old.)
According to the statement, Lindsey helped Jordan get back to shore and was assisting Kenneth when the two became separated and were taken farther out by the riptide.
Kenneth treaded water for more than 20 minutes before rescue crews, alerted by other beachgoers, found him in the surf.
Kenneth was taken to Ocean Beach Hospital in Ilwaco and was discharged last Friday.
A 59-square-mile search for Lindsey using four boats and a helicopter was suspended last Thursday night after seven hours.
About 130 people, many with children, attended a 30-minute vigil Saturday night, sharing thoughts and prayers for the Mustread family.
Aside from Kenneth, Lindsey’s immediate family includes an older brother, William Malcomson, 17, who will be a senior this year at Chimacum High School; her mother Brandy Boyd, who works at a law office in Port Hadlock; and her father, Jeremy Mustread, who lives in Illinois.
Meissner is coordinating a program which would provide the family with two or three meals per week for a year and has created an account on the www.takethemameal.com website.
Those wishing to prepare a meal can sign up at http://tinyurl.com/PDN-Meals.
The meals will be delivered to the high school, 91 West Valley Road, and then distributed to the family.
For information about the meal contributions, phone Meissner at 360-316-1088.
Those who want to make financial contributions are asked to send them to the Irondale Evangelical Free Church, P.O. Box 959, Port Hadlock, WA 98339.
The family will receive all of the money collected, Meissner said.
Additionally, a spaghetti dinner is being held at 6 p.m. July 16 at the church to help raise funds for the family’s short term expenses.
Grief counselors for those who knew Lindsey are available from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. today at the Chimacum Middle School office, 91 W. Valley Road.
Although school is out for the summer, parents and families needing additional support also are welcome to call the middle school counseling office at 360-732-4090, ext. 250, Meissner said.
A public viewing for Lindsey will take place from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at Kosec Funeral Home, 1615 Parkside Drive in Port Townsend.
A memorial service begins at 1 p.m. Friday at the Irondale Evangelical Free Church, 681 Irondale Road, to be followed by a reception in the church hall.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
