The Chris Ruiz Foundation is looking to raise $5,000 to place life jackets at the lake before the busy spring season.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — In the span of five months, four people drowned in Lake Corpus Christi this past year. Among them was 19-year-old Chris Ruiz.
Seven months after his death, his family is working harder than ever to ensure that everyone knows about the importance of wearing a life jacket.
Since Ruiz passed away this summer, his family has already found ways to remember the best parts of him. They’ve created a scholarship fund and donated welding supplies to Robstown High School.
Now, their hope is to pursue something even bigger, to make sure they can stop another tragedy from happening on Lake Corpus Christi.
“He didn’t think that life was ever going to take him from us, but life did,” said his mother, Michelle Ruiz Hernandez.
Wearing a handmade ring with a lock of her son Chris’ hair in it, Ruiz Hernandez is now only left with his memory.
“Just having fun with his friends and not thinking, ‘This is going to be the last time,’ That was the last time,” she said.
When Chris drowned in Lake Corpus Christi in June, his family’s life was forever changed.
Since then, Chris’ mother says she has turned her pain into purpose.
Now, she’s advocating for a change in Texas law that would make wearing a life jacket mandatory while certain boats are in motion. Right now, only children under 13 are required to wear one.
Unsure of where to start, a conversation with family friend and District 34 Representative Abel Herrero gave her hope.
“At the end of the conversation he said, ‘I will get you in touch with Denise Villalobos, and she can head up from there because this is something that needs to be changed,’ ” Ruiz Hernandez said.
Villalobos said she is working to meet with Texas Parks and Wildlife to discuss laws that could be implemented to prevent tragedies at Lake Corpus Christi.
“Last year, four different people passed away in Lake Corpus Christi, and that’s horrific,” Villalobos said. “We do not need another summer like that. I hope that this cycle, we can push something forward to help prevent things like this from happening.”
Since starting the Chris Ruiz Foundation, Chris’ mom has also applied to two life jacket loaner programs.
“Those loaner programs take a few months to get feedback from,” she said. “I think one of them mentioned that we won’t be getting feedback till probably about April.”
If approved for the programs, Lake Corpus Christi wouldn’t see those life jackets until May.
So that Chris’ family can ensure there are life jackets ahead of the busy Easter holiday, they have started their Life Jackets for Life campaign.
They’re hoping to raise $5,000 to provide between 60 and 100 life jackets, racks, and signage at Lake Corpus Christi. If you would like to make a donation to help the foundation reach their goal, click here.