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.

Mary Barrett Stevens

A radiant burst of energy who would never say no to adventure, Mary Barrett Stevens was a symbol of kindness and inclusivity to all.

Always the first one to volunteer for any activity – while always making sure everyone around her felt included – she loved getting competitive with her family over a game of cards or moving her feet with her friends to whatever song was blaring over the speakers.

Her family created the "Live Like MB Foundation" to help other children follow the light that Mary Barrett left.

Money raised through the foundation will fulfill the mission that Mary Barrett was set to achieve, and will go toward various programs that allow other children to grow and develop whatever passions that they may have.

It’ll also help fund animal welfare initiatives, a tie to Mary Barrett’s unconditional love and devotion to their dog, Pete.

The Stevens family wants the children impacted to live just like Mary Barrett would have, helping and loving on every creature no matter what.

DONATE: https://www.livelikemb.org

Molly DeWitt

A spunky artist who loved to run like the wind while holding hands with everyone around her, Molly DeWitt spent her entire life creating alongside her mom.

She was always dancing, drawing, and dreaming up stories. She pushed the bounds of imagination and always wanted to spend her time learning more.

Her family created the Molly Claire DeWitt Legacy Fund to continue to hold hands and hug anyone who may need it.

Like their daughter, who was never afraid to offer a kind word or a wave hello to people living in the margins of society, the DeWitt family wants the money raised from this fund to go to these people, continuing the love that their daughter would often give.

DONATE: https://ghcf.org/the-molly-claire-dewitt-legacy-fund

Cile Steward

A spunky girl who wore animal print the best way she knew how, Cile Steward spent her life making others laugh. 

Depending on the day, she strutted her stuff in a pair of sparkly heels, or rocked a pair of fishing waders to show her adventurous side. 

Cile’s family began the Cile Steward Foundation Fund to pay homage to the destruction of what happened a year ago. 

Money raised through the foundation will go toward supporting others who endure tragedy, and to memorialize both sweet, bright Cile and others who leave the earth too soon. 

The Stewards want everyone to remember what happened, and want everyone to keep their daughter’s light burning. 

DONATE: https://austincf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=13540 

Virginia Hollis

Virginia Hollis was a creator. She was always found behind the ivories, on the back of the family horse or with a paintbrush in hand.

Spending hours perfecting "Virginia’s Song" or spending time perfecting her riding skills with her ‘Poppy’ in the family barn, she spent her time making, imagining, dreaming, and smiling. 

Her family started the Virginia Hollis Memorial Fund to keep Virginia’s song playing forever. 

Money raised through the fund will give other children the opportunity to hop on horseback and ride behind the path that Virginia had set out to create. 

Things like outdoor and athletic spaces, performing and visual arts, STEM and literature education opportunities, faith centered activities and ranching and culinary arts are just a few of the focus areas for children like Virginia to benefit from this fund – following exactly what her family wanted and playing her song for all to hear. 

DONATE: https://virginiahollis.org

Eloise Peck

A neon light who often danced through her bedtime in her pink cowgirl boots, Eloise Peck, known as "Lulu," enthusiastically loved others loudly.

Always inclusive of everyone when hiring her classmates for her own ‘nail salon’ and inclusive of every species when on a frequent outdoor adventure with Dad, Lulu loved everything even allowing dogs to drink free from her lemonade stands. 

Lulu’s parents started the Living for Lulu fund to help continue Lulu’s ability to make everything feel loved. 

Money raised through Living like Lulu will go to help children and animals move past any setbacks that they may face. 

The Pecks want each donation to be a reminder of their daughter’s empathy that she shared so freely with all she’d come across.

DONATE: https://www.livingforlulu.com

Mary Grace Baker

A lover of activities and the people who did those activities with her, Mary Grace Baker had a zest for the world. She fell in love with everything from learning to ski, hula, and dance to rock climbing in all corners of the country

An avid dancer, devout Catholic, competitive tennis player and baseball player, you’d always see her in a tutu or baseball pants. Often times, it was both. 

Mary Grace’s family began the Mary Grace Baker Foundation to honor their daughter through community and compassion, two values that Mary Grace lived with each day. 

Money raised by the foundation will go toward others in need. Donations will be given to organizations like the St. Ann’s Community Center, the Giving Field, and Heaven’s 27, channeling resources to do things like combat food insecurity, help families facing difficult times, and create programs to help young children meet their full potential – just like Mary Grace set out to do. 

The Baker family wants everyone to be a part of their mission and encourages not just giving of money, but to give time to those around you, too.

DONATE: https://marygracebakerfoundation.org

Greta Toranzo

Greta Toranzo was an adventurous spirit who loved fiercely.

Always competing on the tennis court or in the pool, Greta returned every ball with a smile on her face and a "can-do" attitude. 

Greta’s family started the Greta Katherine Toranzo Memorial Fund, which will divide and conquer coverage to nonprofit organizations with missions dear to Greta’s heart. 

The funds will give others the chance to show off their creativity, show kindness in competition, and love on those around them as best as they can. 

The Toranzos want their actions to help other kids just like Greta, giving them an opportunity to live out the rest of their lives in her honor.

DONATE: https://ghcf.org/the-greta-katherine-toranzo-memorial-fund/

Blair and Brooke Harber

A bond stronger than anyone could ever imagine, Blair and Brooke Harber excelled both in and out of the classroom. 

When Blair, the oldest, wasn’t proudly guiding prospective families around the hallways of St. Rita Catholic School, she was tapping her feet to the tune of a new role in a play, practicing for any of the four sports she played, or taking a new concoction of ingredients out of an oven, she was serving at an altar to learn more about the faith that meant so much to her. 

Brooke, the youngest, was a determined athlete who knew how to live fearlessly. With that determination, she held her own on the lacrosse field with girls who were three years older than her, just one of four sports that her passions led her to. 

Both girls were devout to their friends, family, and their faith. And even in their final moments knew how to express the words "I love you" to those around them. 

Their family started the Blair and Brooke Harber Beloved Sisters Fund to give back to the places that gave the girls so much strength. 

Money raised through the fund will go toward things like flood relief and natural disaster efforts, Catholic primary school education, sports and after-school programs, an endowment in honor of the girls to help Notre Dame Catholic Church in Kerrville. 

The Harber family wants anyone who benefits from the fund to find their passions like their girls did and to always live with the faith that they kept.

DONATE: https://blairandbrooke.org

Lila Bonner

A devoted rule-follower who never found any trouble, Lila Bonner served as an upstanding role model for her younger sisters and best friends. Her natural pose embracing those around her, Lila followed her heart – loud.

Although she loved all the competitive and academic aspects of life, Lila’s family founded Lila’s Light in order to fulfill her biggest passion of all – animals.

Lila loved creatures big and small, and always dreamed of opening her own animal rescue service with her younger sister banked in the role of "security."

Every dollar raised by Lila’s Light will go toward animals that were displaced or impacted by any natural disaster, just as Lila dreamed of doing throughout her entire life.

The Bonners want nothing more than to ensure Lila’s legacy is eternal and to keep Lila’s Light shining bright.

DONATE: https://www.lilaslight.org

Abby Pohl

Abby Pohl never veered far away from the family that raised her.

Constantly in adoration of her older sisters, Abby took every impromptu dance party and inside joke to learn their way of life.

Whether it was through any of the four sports she played or a spontaneous slumber party with friends – Abby cherished relationships.

Her parents started the Abby Lynn Pohl Memorial Fund to help other children do just that.

The money raised through the fund will go toward causes that Abby found most interesting. It will help children playing recreational sports in Austin, like she did playing golf to appease her dad’s wishes. And it will go to preserving the natural world, a place that she often spent time exploring.

The Pohl’s want anyone who benefits from the fund to find vibrancy and energy as long as they live.

DONATE: https://austincf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=13443 

Katherine Ferruzzo

Katherine Ferruzzo was the first to jump in and help others regardless of who they were.

She had a servant at heart, volunteering thousands of her hours during middle and high school with children of all abilities after going through speech therapy as a young girl. 

Katherine’s parents began the Kathernie Ferruzzo Legacy Foundation to continue the trail that Katherine had set to blaze. 

Set to attend the University of Texas in Austin in the fall for special education, any money raised through the foundation will give children with special needs the opportunity that Katherine wanted them to have. 

Through classroom experience opportunities, kind, gentle teachers that are following in Katherine’s footsteps, donations to families raising special needs children and to resources to help them thrive, the Ferruzzos want the foundation to continue Katherine’s mission one child at a time.

DONATE: https://www.katherineferruzzo.org/

Blakely McCrory

As adventurous as they come and always plotting her next prank, Blakely McCrory looked forward to spending time riding through fields on horseback, sharpening her skills on the basketball court, splashing around with her friends in the pool, or singing her heart out in the spotlight. 

Blakely’s parents began the Blakely McCrory Children’s Fund to help keep their daughter’s legacy alive while helping other children achieve their dreams. 

The money through the fund will go straight to nonprofits allowing children to thrive – whether it be through medical resources and access to health, helping them score big on an exam, and just live their best lives as they wanted Blakely to. 

The McCrorys say that Blakely was a light in their small corner of the world – and as a result, they want to extend that light to as many as it can reach.

DONATE: https://ghcf.org/the-blakely-mccrory-childrens-fund/

Wynne Naylor

Wynne Naylor was always dreaming up anything possible.

Always on the stage, the court, the field, or with her feet in the grass, she never stopped asking questions, taking in answers, and never said no to an adventure.

Her family started More LIke Wynne to continue their daughter's love for the people near them, the world around them, and those who help guide them through faith.

Money raised through More Like Wynne will help make the world around them a better place to be through capital improvement projects, help boost education access to under-funded areas, give other children the chance to "run like the wind" in whatever sport they desire. It will also give programs focusing on both outdoor conservation and Christian ministry the chance to impact others the way that Wynne would want them to.

The Naylors want everyone to remember to find the light in any bad situation they may come across, and for everyone to live more like their daughter.

DONATE: https://www.morelikewynne.org

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.

DONATE: https://www.hugsfromhadley.org

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 McCown 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

Katherine Ferruzzo

Katherine Ferruzzo was the first to jump in and help others regardless of who they were.

She had a servant at heart, volunteering thousands of her hours during middle and high school with children of all abilities after going through speech therapy as a young girl. 

Katherine’s parents began the Kathernie Ferruzzo Legacy Foundation to continue the trail that Katherine had set to blaze. 

Set to attend the University of Texas in Austin in the fall for special education, any money raised through the foundation will give children with special needs the opportunity that Katherine wanted them to have. 

Through classroom experience opportunities, kind, gentle teachers that are following in Katherine’s footsteps, donations to families raising special needs children and to resources to help them thrive, the Ferruzzos want the foundation to continue Katherine’s mission one child at a time.

DONATE: https://www.katherineferruzzo.org/

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