Latest news with #LilaBonner
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Touching last gift of Camp Mystic girls killed in Texas floods as over $1M raised for charities in their honor
More than two dozen families were left devastated when raging floodwaters swept away cabins housing the youngest campers at Camp Mystic just seven days ago. At least 27 girls and staff at the Christian summer camp in Kerr County, Texas lost their lives when the Guadalupe River swelled on the Fourth of July. But some of those grieving parents are turning their tragedy into a force of good as they launch charities and memorial funds in honor of their daughters killed in the disaster. The families of Lila Bonner and Eloise 'Lulu' Peck are paying homage to their girls' love for animals by establishing foundations to help wildlife and local shelters. Memorial funds have been established in honor of Wynne Naylor, Linnie McCown and Hadley Hanna as their families work to create foundations that reflect the light the girls brought into the world. Donors have contributed a combined total of more than $1 million to the funds, which have all been created within the last five days. Over 100 bodies have been recovered from the deadly Texas flood waters, including 36 children, but the death toll is expected to grow as searches continue. At least 160 people are still missing in the flood-hit area, with many feared to be children washed away by the disaster. Officials say they are holding out hope that some may still be found alive, with some survivors saying they clung to trees for hours in desperate attempts to remain out of the fast moving currents. Lila Bonner's family has raised more than $460,000 for the soon-to-be established Lila's Light foundation, which aims to help animals affected by natural disasters. 'While our hearts are aching and processing this unimaginable loss, we are determined to spread Lila's Light into the world,' her family wrote in a GoFundMe campaign launched three days ago. 'Lila was a natural born leader who loved all creatures, big and small. Her confidence and determination left no doubt she would one day fulfill her dream of opening and operating an animal rescue.' Although Bonner will never be able to see her dream come to fruition, her love for animals will carry on through Lila's Light, her loved ones allege. The family is still in the process of formally creating the foundation but says 'our aim is to help ensure her legacy – and radiant light – continues to shine'. The Bonners have also partnered with a jeweler to sell amethyst cross pendants in honor of their little girl, with all net proceeds going directly to Lila's Light. Eloise Peck's family has dedicated themselves to a similar mission by launching a fund to construct a shelter at Blueberry Hill Farm and Rescue in Mena, Arkansas. The eight-year-old started a dog walking service earlier this summer and was donating 25 per cent of her earned proceeds to the rescue, the shelter says. The shelter, in partnership with the Pecks, will 'keep Lulu's memory alive' by 'nurturing hope and healing for animals'. 'Lulu's name will forever live on at BHFAR with a newly constructed shelter officially being named Lulu's Puppy Hut,' Blueberry Hill Farm and Rescue's website states. 'This shelter will provide much-needed warmth, safety, and a loving place for our foster puppies to stay until we find their forever homes.' It is unclear how much money Peck's fund has raised so far. The McCown, Hanna and Naylor families are honoring their daughters by creating memorial funds in their honor. The McCowns are planning to create a foundation in Linnie McCown's name, though it is unclear at that time what causes the charity will support. The family will be 'able to give and care for others in honor of their precious girl - her giggles, her sweetness, the way she made people feel seen and happy', a GoFundMe account established on their behalf states. 'It's such a beautiful way to carry her sweet spirit forward,' the fundraiser, which has already amassed more than $300,000 in donations, states. Hadley Hanna's loved ones are creating a legacy fund that they say 'exists to build something beautiful in her name' and pays tribute to the 'light she brought to this world'. The Hadley Hanna Legacy Fund will carry the 'joyful, creative, kind, and full of life' eight-year-old's spirit forward through a scholarship, memorial project or foundation. 'Though her time on Earth was brief, her spirit made a lasting impression on everyone who knew her,' the Hanna family says. Wynne Naylor's family has established a fund with the Dallas Foundation that aims to establish a 'legacy of love of community, love of the outdoors, and love of God'. The foundations as not disclosed the amount of donations that have been contributed to the More Like Wynne fund. The grim effort of searching for victims killed in the floods continues across Texas on Friday, with the areas that disappeared underwater years away from recovery. But the families of those little girls killed who've set up foundations in their daughters' honor have been widely hailed for doing something positive amidst the darkness and despair. Locals hope the new charities will help make sure the victims they're named after are always remembered, while making life better for future young residents and visitors to the valley.
Economic Times
4 days ago
- General
- Economic Times
Who is Lila Bonner? Texas flood victim at Camp Mystic, who had a dream of opening an animal rescue
Synopsis The Texas Hill Country floods on July 4, 2025, claimed the lives of at least 119 people, including 9-year-old Lila Bonner, a Camp Mystic camper. Remembered for her love of animals and leadership qualities, Lila's family is planning to establish Lila's Light Foundation to support animals affected by natural disasters. Bonner, whose family described her as a natural-born leader and an animal lover, had a dream of opening an animal rescue before the devastating Hill County floods took her life. NYT News Service A service for the Texas flooding victims is held at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas on Sunday, July 6, 2025. The church is the home parish of Lila Bonner, 9, one of several children who died at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian camp, where another 10 girls remained missing. (Ruth Graham/The New York Times) The devastating floods swept through the Texas Hill Country on July 4, 2025, leaving at least 119 people dead statewide, with the bulk of deaths reported in Kerr County, where the toll reached 95. Meanwhile, officials said over 150 people were still missing. The people who lost their lives in floods included several young campers at Camp Mystic. Among the Camp Mystic campers who died was 9-year-old Lila Bonner, who died with her best friend and Camp Mystic cabinmate, Eloise Peck. The two had recently finished second grade at Bradfield Elementary, according to news station KDFW. Bonner, whose family described her as a natural-born leader and an animal lover, had a dream of opening an animal rescue before the devastating Hill County floods took her life."Lila was a natural-born leader who loved all creatures, big and small,' Bonner's family said in a GoFundMe. 'Her confidence and determination left no doubt she would one day fulfill her dream of opening and operating an animal rescue,' the family girl, according to the family, had an electric smile and soulful eyes. She was one of 27 campers and counsellors who perished at Camp Mystic in Hunt. The catastrophic floods occurred in the early hours of July 4, 2025. Floodwaters quickly overtook the all-Christian, all-girls camp when the nearby Guadalupe River rose by 22 feet in just a few hours. Lila Bonner's body was found, her family confirmed in a statement, according to media Light Foundation, an animal care initiative, will work to realize the North Texas girl's dream of caring for creatures who are devastated by natural disasters like the one that killed her.'While Lila's life was tragically cut short, her legacy and story will not end there. We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support for our beautiful and precious girl and look forward to honoring her love for animals by creating a foundation, Lila's Light, to help animals affected by natural disasters—just as she would have wanted,' the Bonner family said.'While we are still in the process of setting up her foundation, please trust that no funds will be for expenses. Our aim is to help ensure her legacy—and radiant light—continues to shine,' the family further stated The fundraiser has so far collected over $407,975 USD and aims to raise $450,000. Milliard Diamond Concierge, a Dallas-based jewelry company, is also selling a 14k yellow gold cross pendant in honor of Lila Bonner. All proceeds will go towards Lila's Light.
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Who is Lila Bonner? Texas flood victim at Camp Mystic, who had a dream of opening an animal rescue
The devastating floods swept through the Texas Hill Country on July 4, 2025, leaving at least 119 people dead statewide, with the bulk of deaths reported in Kerr County, where the toll reached 95. Meanwhile, officials said over 150 people were still missing. The people who lost their lives in floods included several young campers at Camp Mystic. Among the Camp Mystic campers who died was 9-year-old Lila Bonner , who died with her best friend and Camp Mystic cabinmate, Eloise Peck. The two had recently finished second grade at Bradfield Elementary, according to news station KDFW. Bonner, whose family described her as a natural-born leader and an animal lover, had a dream of opening an animal rescue before the devastating Hill County floods took her life. "Lila was a natural-born leader who loved all creatures, big and small,' Bonner's family said in a GoFundMe. 'Her confidence and determination left no doubt she would one day fulfill her dream of opening and operating an animal rescue,' the family added. The girl, according to the family, had an electric smile and soulful eyes. She was one of 27 campers and counsellors who perished at Camp Mystic in Hunt. Live Events The catastrophic floods occurred in the early hours of July 4, 2025. Floodwaters quickly overtook the all-Christian, all-girls camp when the nearby Guadalupe River rose by 22 feet in just a few hours. Lila Bonner's body was found, her family confirmed in a statement, according to media reports. Lila's Light Foundation to fulfill girl's dreams Lila's Light Foundation, an animal care initiative, will work to realize the North Texas girl's dream of caring for creatures who are devastated by natural disasters like the one that killed her. 'While Lila's life was tragically cut short, her legacy and story will not end there. We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support for our beautiful and precious girl and look forward to honoring her love for animals by creating a foundation, Lila's Light, to help animals affected by natural disasters—just as she would have wanted,' the Bonner family said. 'While we are still in the process of setting up her foundation, please trust that no funds will be for expenses. Our aim is to help ensure her legacy—and radiant light—continues to shine,' the family further stated The fundraiser has so far collected over $407,975 USD and aims to raise $450,000. Milliard Diamond Concierge, a Dallas-based jewelry company, is also selling a 14k yellow gold cross pendant in honor of Lila Bonner. All proceeds will go towards Lila's Light.
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Entire cabin of Camp Mystic girls and counselors swept away in floods
By A heartbreaking photo shows an entire cabin of Camp Mystic girls and counselors who were washed away in the horrific Texas floods. The 13 girls and two counselors were staying in Camp Mystic's Bubble Inn cabin, which, alongside the Twins cabin, housed the youngest of the girls, aged 8 to 10. The cabins were less than 500 feet from the river and thus took in water from two directions, the Guadalupe river and a creek nearby, making the girls' escape particularly challenging. His body was found in a black SUV alongside those of three girls he had tried to save, reported The Washington Post. Many of the girls in the cabins were unable to flee as the water rose 20 feet in just 90 minutes when the catastrophic floods hit on Friday morning. Camp Mystic confirmed Monday that at least 27 campers and counselors had died in the floods. 'We have been in communication with local and state authorities who are tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls,' the camp said in a statement posted on its website. 'We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from community, first responders, and officials at every level.' Families were allowed to look around the camp beginning Sunday morning. Pictured: Eloise Peck (right) was sharing a cabin with Lila Bonner (left) when they were killed in the flooding. One girl was seen walking out of a building ringing a large bell in an attempt to find survivors, while a man whose daughter was rescued from a cabin on the highest point in the camp walked the riverbank looking in clumps of trees and under big rocks. A teenage girl had tears running down her face as they slowly drove away and she gazed through the open window at the wreckage. Across the state, the floods killed at least 82 people. Governor Greg Abbott said Sunday that a further 41 people confirmed to be unaccounted for across the state and more could be missing. In Kerr County, home to youth camps in the Texas Hill Country, searchers have found the bodies of 68 people, including 28 children, Sheriff Larry Leitha said Sunday afternoon. Rescuers have continued maneuvering through challenging terrain filled with snakes as they look for the missing. The devastation along the Guadalupe River, outside of San Antonio, has drawn a massive search effort as officials face questions over their preparedness and the speed of their initial actions. Beyond the Camp Mystic campers unaccounted for, the number of missing from other nearby campgrounds and across the region had not been released. 'We don't even want to begin to estimate at this time,' Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said Saturday, citing the likely influx of visitors during the July Fourth holiday.
Cedar News
07-07-2025
- Climate
- Cedar News
Victims Identified in Texas Hill Country Floods as Death Toll Rises to 68 in Kerr County
KERR COUNTY, Texas (July 6, 2025) — The devastating floods that swept through Texas Hill Country have left a tragic mark, with officials confirming the identities of several victims as the death toll in Kerr County alone reaches 68, including 28 children. Authorities report that 10 campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic remain missing, while additional fatalities have been confirmed across Central Texas. Among the victims: Lila Bonner, a camper at Camp Mystic, was confirmed dead by her family. 'We are beyond grateful for the outpouring of support,' her mother wrote on Instagram. Richard 'Dick' Eastland, beloved director of Camp Mystic, died while trying to rescue campers. He passed away aboard a medical helicopter en route to a Houston hospital. 'It doesn't surprise me that his last act was one of sacrifice,' said a former camp columnist. Blair and Brooke Harber, sisters from Dallas and students at St. Rita Catholic School, were swept away when their cabin was overtaken by floodwaters. Their parents survived, but their grandparents remain unaccounted for. Sarah Marsh, 8, from Alabama, had been attending Camp Mystic when she lost her life. Her school and community expressed deep sorrow and called for prayers. Jane Ragsdale, 68, director of Heart O' the Hills camp, died during the flooding. The camp remembered her as 'the heart and soul' of the institution and a beacon of strength. Renee Smajstrla, a camper at Mystic, was confirmed dead by family. A tribute described her as 'living her best life' in her final days. Jeff Wilson, a veteran teacher in Humble ISD near Houston, also perished. His wife, Amber, and son, Shiloh, are still missing. Reece and Paula Zunker, a young couple and parents to two children, died in the floods. Their children remain missing. Reece, a beloved soccer coach at Tivy High School, was honored as a mentor and role model. Ai Lorio, 66, died inside his Ingram home. Family friends confirmed his death Sunday. Bobby and Amanda Martin were found dead, according to a family friend. They were remembered as 'compassionate and selfless.' Governor Greg Abbott confirmed an additional 10 deaths in other areas of Central Texas. Emergency responders continue search and rescue efforts, as dozens remain unaccounted for, particularly around Camp Mystic and the Guadalupe River. The Hill Country flood disaster is being described as one of the worst in decades, fueled by the remnants of Tropical Depression Chantal, which dumped up to 14 inches of rain in parts of Central Texas. Authorities urge residents to avoid flooded areas, stay updated with emergency alerts, and report missing persons immediately. This story will be updated as more victims are identified and recovery efforts continue.
