Committee raising money for TWA Flight 800 Memorial gardens

This Saturday will mark the 14th anniversary of the crash of TWA Flight 800 into the Atlantic Ocean near Center Moriches. Family and friends of the 230 people who died in the tragic explosion will gather at the TWA Flight 800 International Memorial at Smith Point County Park in Mastic, as they have every year since the accident. The annual gathering, which draws people from all over the globe, will include memorial services and reflections in the memorial gardens.

Upkeep of the memorial site has been supported by donations over the years, but the families say the support has been dwindling. So they've created an endowment fund to provide an ongoing source of funds to maintain the grounds and gardens. They're hoping to raise $1 million by next year's 15th anniversary.

MORE: See photos of the memorial and gardens

"Creating this Memorial and continuing it's proper care has been difficult and emotionally exhausting for our families [and] we're so worried about the future... We’re lucky, and Long Island is lucky, to have good people like this who are willing to lend a hand when a hand is needed," Aurelie Becker, President of The Families of TWA FLT 800 Association.

The Memorial Service for families and friends will begin at approximately 8:00 pm.

If you'd like to help, send your donation to TWA Flight 800 Memorial Endowment, P.O. Box 1061, Clifton Park, N.Y., 12065.