It didn't take long before messages started pouring in from all over Southeast Texas.
"It's the community, it's the community coming together," Constance Ozio said. "It's been non-stop my phone has Facebook on it and every two seconds it's going off with more people messaging."
People offering donations for an auction to help Lexy Bertrand's family.
"I mean every child in this community is all of our children," Ozio said.
Police said Bertrand suffered serious injuries after a speeding car launched off the hump of a railroad crossing and landed on the minivan carrying her and her mother. Her mother had minor injuries. Police said Bertrand died Saturday.
Constance Ozio didn't know Bertrand or her family before organizing donations for the family.
"You shouldn't have to go raise funds when it's your time to grieve so I decided to step up and do it for them," Ozio said.
She created a Facebook group Saturday. Nearly 2,000 people joined the group in less than 24 hours, including friends and strangers.
"We just care about community and care about the family. Even though we don't know them we want to try to do what we can to help," Paul Starkweather said. He donated an item Saturday.
Ozio spent the day picking up donations, including at Cindy Jones' home.
"I first had the privilege of meeting Lexy when she was about 6 years old. I used to do barrel clinics for barrel racing," Jones said. She didn't see Bertrand again until years later.
"She made such an impression on me at the time because I had never met a child that was so confident in herself. Her personality was just awesome," Jones said.
Bertrand's family sent KFDM News this message about her:
"Lexy was the most loving, caring person I knew. She was always trying to help in any way, shape or form. She had a beautiful heart and smile that would light up the room when she walked in. Lexy wasn't just a great daughter she was the best big sister, student, friend, and had love for everyone. She never met an enemy and always had room in her heart for another friend. She was beautiful, loving, smart, outgoing and everything anyone would strive to become. Lexy had hundreds maybe thousands of friends she kept in contact with. She was an amazing person and will never be forgot and missed terribly."
A young girl who touched the lives of her family , now bringing together the hears of an entire community.
"No matter is she's here or not she's left an impression," Ozio said.
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Source: KFDM (Bull 02/10)
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