A butterfly for Blakely

PATRONS for Bellaire Parks, Bellaire City Council and staff, and Bellaire neighbors came together to make the tribute happen. Bottom row: Cheryl Bright, Lindsey McCrory, Mayra Marshall and daughter Siobhan Kamdar, Dawn Bloomer, Lilly Gilmer, Chazley Dotson, Sharon Citino. Top row: Mark McCullough, Beth Jones, Catherine Lewis, Stephanie Tran, Gus Pappas, Amisha Dalwadi, Ryan Smith, Lisa Lim, Brian Witt, Rebecca Phillips, Johnnie Frazier, Tricia Pollard, Win Frazier. (Photo: Dee Zunker Photography)

Family, friends, and neighbors (pictured) gathered at Joe Gaither Park to dedicate Blakely’s Butterfly, a new play structure, in memory of Blakely McCrory. The 8-year-old was one of the 27 Camp Mystic campers and counselors lost in the July 4th flood. Living just a few houses away from the park, Blakely and her mom Lindsey spent lots of time together there, especially during the after-school hours. Blakely’s Butterfly was created to honor the young girl who loved butterflies and loved spending time outdoors in her neighborhood. The dedication ceremony ended with a butterfly release where children reached out to butterflies who perched on their hands. Pictured are (top row, from left) Mark McCullough, Beth Jones, Catherine Lewis, Stephanie Tran, Gus Pappas, Amisha Dalwadi, Ryan Smith, Lisa Lim, Brian Witt, Rebecca Phillips, Johnnie Frazier, Tricia Pollard, Win Frazier; (bottom row, from left) Cheryl Bright, Lindsey McCrory, Mayra Marshall and daughter Siobhan Kamdar, Dawn Bloomer, Lilly Gilmer, Chazley Dotson, and Sharon Citino. See "Blakely’s Butterfly" for more details by Caroline Siegfried and more photos from the event. 

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