27 Ways in 27 Days: Kerr County flooding victims’ legacies live on 1 year later

DALLAS - It’s been nearly a year since a devastating flood along the Guadalupe River killed more than 100 people in Kerr County.

Over the next 27 days, FOX 4 will share 27 ways that you can help support the legacy of 29 of the youngest lives lost in the floods.

The updates on the victims include who they were, how they’re being remembered, and how they’ve impacted others.

Lucy Dillon

A baller both on and off the court, Lucy Dillon was a star everywhere – whether it was with a pencil in her hand at a desk, or while playing basketball with her friends.

She excelled in both her athletic and academic endeavors.

Her family started the Bright Like Lucy fund to help other children explore and pursue whatever passion they may be interested in.

Money raised through the Bright Like Lucy fund will give classrooms and opportunity to continue STEM education, give children the chance to compete in athletic programs, give the gift of higher education to graduating seniors, and to help organizations that care for animals of all kinds.

The Dillon family wants to help those who feel like an underdog, celebrating anyone who may have ever felt overlooked.

DONATE: https://www.brightlikelucy.org/

Madelyn Jeffrey

Madelyn "Emmy" Jeffrey was a star student who also shined outside of the classroom.

Whether it was on the soccer field, calling out checkmate or singing in her choir, she always made fast friends with anyone standing next to her.

Her family created the Jeffrey Family Memorial Fund to help organizations and programs aligning with Emmy's passions and to honor her grandparents, who were also lost in the flood.

DONATE: https://saafdn.org/jeffrey-family-memorial-fund/ 

Hadley Hanna

Hadley Hanna was the girl who was never without a smile. 

She was known for her cuddle sneak attacks on any person or pet in the room, her never-ending dance moves, and her obsession with perfecting her cartwheels and back handspring.

Hadley's family started the Hugs from Hadley Foundation to help honor Hadley's gentle spirit and kind heart, while giving to girls who love loud just like Hadley did.

Money raised through Hugs from Hadley go directly toward health and wellness initiatives, educational scholarships, first responders, and rescue groups like game warden K-9 units.

Each donation is designed to bring joy to whoever receives it – something that the Hanna family vowed to keep their daughter's legacy alive.

Ellen Getten

Ellen Getten was always found at the center of the dance floor.

She was a girl who loved hitting a tennis ball, playing video games or showing off her newest dance moves alongside her sisters.

Ellen proudly wore a few drops of her dinner on her shirt and the biggest smile known to man.

Ellen’s family began the Ellen Elizabeth Getten Gift Fund to help other children in the same spaces where Ellen found her passion and joy.

A proud student at St. John’s School and member at St. John’s the Divine Episcopal Church, the money raised will pour back into these places – establishing distinct programs in Ellen’s name for generations of children to leave hugs and happiness wherever they go.

For the rest of their lives, the Gettens want to extend hugs on behalf of their daughter, as she would frequently do to those around her.

DONATE: https://henrybraggco.com/ellen/

Chloe Childress

A star in the classroom, plucking her guitar strings, and traveling around the world, Chloe Childress was a perfect role model for the young girls in her Camp Mystic cabin.

She devoted hours of her time giving back to causes she was passionate about, plus spending time developing her craft for the arts, photography, and music.

Chloe’s family began the Chloe Childress Memorial Endowment Fund to help her classmates do the same.

The money raised will go directly toward The Kinkaid School’s McGuyer Family Center for Wellbeing and Success, helping children in a place where Chloe found and developed her passions.

The Childress family wants every child at that school to leave feeling prepared for their next steps, focusing on any dream that they may be chasing.

DONATE: https://support.kinkaid.org/campaigns/chloefund

Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence

Attached at the hip since the day they were born, Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence were never the pair to turn away from playful chaos. While not opposites – the pair definitely had their respective personalities. 

Hanna Lawrence lived on a sugar rush. She was always one to stay up late and get up early. She spent her time talking to everyone around her, always loving an audience. 

Her twin sister, Rebecca, was the calm to match the chaos. Her ideal Friday was a movie night with her stuffed animals and a big bowl of popcorn. She loved others a little quieter. 

The dynamic duo’s parents started the Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence Charitable Fund to help other children lead their lives following the twins’ passions. 

Hanna and Rebecca’s parents plan to use the money raised to give to nonprofits aligning with the girl’s favorite things to do. For spunky, outgoing Hanna, it’s learning to fearlessly lead, connecting with those around them, and never being afraid to stand up for what they believe in. For thoughtful, fashionable Rebecca, it’s to make sure those she helps learn to feel comfortable in their own skin, and to take care of any living being. 

The Lawrence family wants the money raised from this fund not to just help others, but to spread the joy and meaning of the twins’ lives.

DONATE: https://dallasfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=5389

Linnie McCown

Linnie McCown was known for her always-on bright smile with one dimple.

She was the epitome of resilience, breaking barriers while excelling at reading while facing dyslexia, often helping the other kids at school with the same challenges.

Linnie's family started the Love Like Linnie fund to continue Linnie's efforts to work with other children around her. 

Whether it was twirling around the house or the dance studio, taping her latest creation on the fridge or the walls, or cracking open her newest read, money raised by the fund will go to organizations helping others pursue the passions that were so important to Linnie.

Their daughter inspired the McCowm family every single day. And with this fund, they want to help others do the same.

DONATE: https://austincf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=13276

Margaret Sheedy

Margaret Sheedy is remembered for the sounds of her dancing footsteps and competitive spirit.

Her bright blue eyes always creased with her smile. Whether it was a competitive circle of Uno with her family or a sunny afternoon spent jumping and tumbling on the backyard trampoline, Margaret loved fun.

Her family started the Margaret Gaffney Sheedy Memorial Fund to give others the opportunity to share these joys.

Money raised will go directly to causes that were close to Margaret's heart. Just like how Margaret would recite the lines of her newest character on the playground at recess, or help her brothers build their newest Lego creation, the Sheedys want the fund to help children live like their daughter.  They hope to show the same kindness in the process that she did.

DONATE: https://ghcf.org/the-margaret-gaffney-sheedy-memorial-fund/

Lainey Landry

Lainey Landry was known by many names, including Lainey Boo, Lil Babe, and Lainey Banana.

She started every day with a "dry that hair special" and a laugh. She dreamt of "hanging ten" off surfboards around the world, rocking a white lab coat, and a fresh pair of safety goggles, grabbing the mic and letting her voice be heard at church or around the house, and serving her most important role – having kids of her own.

Her family founded the Lainey Anne Landry Fund to support nonprofit organizations that help children to live like Lainey.

Money raised through the fund will help others follow their path to faith, and help other children through groups that Lainey loved, like the Brownie Girl Scouts and Post Oak Little League.

The Landrys' biggest want is to honor their daughter's love for other people around them and to inspire others to do the same.

DONATE: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-lainey-landrys-memorial-fund 

Anna Margaret Bellows

Anna Margeret Bellows was an athlete who loved everyone and never met a stranger.

She was tenacious, whether holding a field hockey stick in her hands, kicking a soccer ball into a goal, shooting a basketball, or asking her mom for "five more minutes" when getting out of bed.

But she never let anything weigh her down.

Her family and the St. John’s School started a fundraiser in memor of Margaret Bellows to help those close to her and far beyond.

Money raised through the fundraiser will go toward feeding children who may be less fortunate, helping fund resources for generations of St. John’s Mavericks near and far, and toward St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church in Houston.

The Bellows family wants their little girl’s legacy to live on, and with money raised more children will have the opportunity to be bold, challenge themselves, and love fiercely.

DONATE: https://sjs.myschoolapp.com/page/in-memory-of-margaret-bellows-35

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