WHITNEY, TX — The story of 10-year-old Lily Mae Avant who died after who died after contracting a rare amoeba, captured the hearts of people around the world.
On Saturday, a benefit event took place at the Sun Country RV Park in Whitney to help bring awareness and support the Avant family.
"Some people don't know about this, even with everyone who has passed from this, that awareness is not there," said Jillian Gordon.
Four women aimed to raise awareness about the rare brain eating amoeba that took the life of Lily Mae Avant.
They put together a benefit event to help shed light on the infection. They are all family friends of the Avant family and say they are thankful to see the support of so many people.
"Everything was donated, people outpouring wanting to help and be a part of it in some way and they are here to step up," said Lacey Branscun.
T-shirts, wristbands, crosses, food, activities, music and more gave a way for Central Texans to stand by the Avant family.
"Each [music] band is sentimental, John and Faith are married and grew up around the family. There are just a lot of touches out here that we really hope they touch the family so they see that the community is here for them," said Lacey Branscun.
The post 50 legion riders also made an appearance.
"I am proud to see it, it brought awareness, and I am glad to see people out here for a reason other than politics," said the President of the Post 50 Legion Riders.
They say these past two weeks went by in a flash and when they talk about Lily Mae being gone.
"We are still trying to process that, we understand she is not longer with us but her spirit will always be here and all of us coming together proves how many people people she touched ," said Jillian Gordon.
They are as positive as they can be, even with tears in their eyes.
"I spoke to Laci and she said that if all we could do is save one life through the awareness then her death was not for nothing," said Lacey Branscun.
To find out how to help the Avant family, click here.
