Coach is sought for gymnastics Lander Fund project jeopardized

NEWPORT – Four years ago, Kimberly and Norman Lander’s teenage daughter was killed in a house fire while spending the night with friends in St. Albans.

Since then, the Lander family has created a foundation that offers financial help for the sports that Kasey Lander participated in: cheerleading and gymnastics.

“We focused on what Kasey loved,” Kimberly Lander said Monday, “as a way to honor her memory. It’s been a labor of love.”

“It helps,” said Lander.

Since 2001, the Kasey Lander Memorial Fund has provided thousands of dollars’ worth of cheerleading uniforms, sneakers and equipment. More than $4,000 in scholarships has been provided to varsity cheerleaders at Newport’s Nokomis Regional High School.

But one of the foundation’s largest projects is in jeopardy. Thousands of dollars worth of gymnastics equipment is sitting idle at Sebasticook Valley Community Center, all for the lack of a coach.

“We have had up to 65 kids in this program,” Lander said Monday. But when coach Hillary Fraser left to have a baby, classes ended and nothing has been held since last June. “It’s heartbreaking,” said Lander.

Although some of the 4- to 16-year-old students have found classes elsewhere, “most are doing nothing,” said Lander. “We have all this great equipment and classes would only be one day a week.”

In February, the foundation will host a dinner dance at the community center. Prizes range from a hotel stay in Freeport to homemade quilts to Sugarloaf ski passes and more, all of which have been donated.

Those seeking more information may contact Lander at 368-2079.