On the night of July 4th, during flash flooding in Burnet, Texas, my grandpa, Joe Riley, acted selflessly and bravely to save our aunts, and a neighbor and his beloved dog Benji from the rising water at Hamilton Creek Village Senior Living Apartments.

Trapped with no way out, the five of them clung to a tree for over an hour—through the dark of night—waiting for rescuers to arrive at sunrise. With floodwaters surging around them, Jodi and my father shielded my aunt with their bodies to prevent her from going into shock.

His actions likely prevented four more tragic deaths during the holiday’s severe weather event.

Along with with this he lost all his belongings and his truck. He is currently staying in a motel in town until they can find him a permanent place to live. Anything you are able to donate will go directly towards him replacing what he has lost.