She was 8 and 1/2 years old, she was great at math and she loved corgis.
HOUSTON — It’s been nearly three months since catastrophic floodwaters swept through the Texas Hill Country in the early morning hours of July 4th. More than 130 people were killed in the July 4th floods. Among the victims were 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic.
Lisa and Brandt Dillon’s 8-year-old daughter Lucy was one of the campers who died. Now, they have made it their mission to share her light and legacy to help others through causes she loved.
When we sat down with Lisa and Brandt they shared with us how proud they are of Lucy and all she accomplished.
“She was genuine and honest and clear about the things that she cared for,” Lisa said.
She loved math so much that she skipped a grade at 8.
“People probably get sick of me talking about the skipping the math grade stuff, but it’s really, I’m just so proud of it, right,” Brandt said.
That pride is seen also through every piece of artwork the Dillons have hung up throughout their home. Each one made by Lucy or her little sister, Charley.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to take them down now,” Brandt said.
The Dillons said they are not ready to talk about what the family went through on July 4th, but they do want to talk about Lucy. She loved science, math, basketball, especially her beloved Houston Rockets, and corgis.
“She was very obsessed with these cute little dogs,” Lisa said. Lisa showed us a crocheted corgi keychain she made. It was finished as a promise she made to Lucy to make the project together.
“If it featured a corgi she wanted it corgi shirts, corgi hat, corgi socks, corgi plushies,” Brandt said.
Animal welfare is just one thing the Bright Like Lucy foundation will help fund. The Dillon family started the foundation shortly after her death. Every donation they have and will receive will go to sponsor causes Lucy loved.
“We’re going to sponsor our local STEAM night this year at Memorial Drive Elementary,” Brandt said. Memorial Drive Elementary was Lucy’s elementary school.
The Dillon family also plans to help build up math labs and give out scholarships.
“When Lucy’s life was taken, we didn’t have to wonder about how to carry her legacy on forward. Because she lit the path for us while she was here in those short eight-and-a-half years,” Lisa said.
The Dillons are also advocating alongside their fellow Heaven’s 27 families for changes in camp safety in the wake of what happened.
Brandt is one of several parents who gave an emotional testimony in Austin for the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Bill. It later passed both state legislative chambers and became one of a few camp as well as flood safety bills signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott.
Senate Bill 3 requires high-risk areas to install outdoor flood warning sirens.
House Bill 1, known as the Youth CAMPER Act, looks to improve safety standards at youth camps, especially if they’re in flood-prone areas.
Senate Bill 1, known as the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act, strengthens safety regulations at youth camps and campgrounds across Texas.
Lisa had the corgi keychain with her the day this bill was signed into law. She took it with her to the Governor’s mansion where the bill was being signed. Governor Greg Abbott made note of the keychain so the Dillons named the corgi, Greg.
“A lot of, a lot of great things happened that day with camp safety and carrying her daughter’s legacy forward,” Lisa said.
What do the Dillons want to see happen next?
“The legislative aspect of it just it sort of seemed just kind of natural. Now moving forward we’re focused on Lucy and supporting the things that that she liked,” Brandt said.
That is their inspiration amid their grief.
“I believe that we face challenges in our lives and we overcome them. And when we overcome them, it’s our duty to help others,” Brandt said.
Brandt and Lisa said they will continue to announce more events on their social media pages for the Bright Like Lucy foundation.
Photojournalist Ivan Gibson contributed to this report.