Pensacola and Hitzman community do what they can for family of little girl who died at park
When we heard the horrible news of 6-year-old Aaliyah Lockhart's death Tuesday, March 4, in a tragic accident at Hitzman Park, there were two immediate reactions that all parents, grandparents, guardians, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters ‒ heck, anyone who has ever known or cared for a child ‒ had.
The first was sorrow. Sorrow for the loss of a sweet and beautiful little Scenic Heights Elementary kindergarten student who loved to skateboard, eat PB&Js and who was known for her "spunky" nature. We mourned for the family, though we didn't know them. Yet still, we wanted to hug them, comfort them and do whatever we could to help them cope with a real-life nightmare.
Our second reaction was the realization that something this sudden, so shocking, could happen to anyone's family. We pictured our little ones and thought, "That could have been ..." ‒ and, if you're like me, probably stopped right there because the conclusion of the thought is too unbearable to even ponder. If you're like me, you even physically shuddered at the thought.
But that horror is what Aaliyah's family is having to deal with now.
Aaliyah, a winter baby, is the daughter of Jasmine Frye and Stuart Lockhart. The family is struggling. Aaliyah has an older brother, Nolan, and a baby brother, Christopher. All the children were living with Jasmine, who worked as a server at a local restaurant. But she can't work now. How could anyone?
There were funeral expenses, and, unfortunately, there are still bills that will continue to come in while the family works to recover. Jasmine will be out of work for a while dealing with her own trauma, as well as her sons who will need her love and support. How long does it take to recover from something so unthinkable? No matter, the bills won't wait until then, unfortunately.
Of course, people in the Pensacola community have come out to do what they can to help the family. Even if that means just giving money. Sure, no amount of money can make things return to the way they were before. We know that. But maybe a little money can ensure that more hardship isn't added to an already grieving family.
Jasmine's friend Jaleesa Taylor Hergott started a GoFundMe campaign to help Jasmine with any financial struggles. It's raised more than $8,000 with a $10,000 goal.
"Honestly, the support means the world to the family," Jaleesa said. "They truly appreciate the outpouring. It means so much to feel the community behind them."
She and Jasmine have been friends for about 16 years, long before Aaliyah was born on Jan. 3, 2018.
"Aaliyah was so spunky," she said. "She was very determined and could be sassy. So lovable."
Like the rest of us, Jaleesa thought the unthinkable when she found out the tragic news.
"My son is the same age," she said. "I can't even imagine. I can't fathom how you deal with this."
But Aaliyah's family will have to deal. What choice is there?
We can only empathize and do what we can. People who frequent Hitzman Park, where so many of our kids play soccer, monkey around on the playground, where we take our dogs, and where some of us even play disc golf, responded personally.
Sneaky Tiki, the yummy shaved ice trailer that is at Hitzman Park most days, held a recent fundraiser where 100% of sales went to the family. I took my 5-year-old grandson Beckett and there was a long, long line. Beckett got blue raspberry and strawberry and I got lime/watermelon. Yummy.
Owner Peter Jones said Sneaky Tiki raised $2,200 for the family.
Sneaky Tiki has been at Hitzman for about five years.
"This is where it all began for us," Jones said. "I've seen these kids grow up. I've seen families expand. They've become our extended family as well. I'm forever grateful for this (Hitzman) community and I'll always have that debt."
His thoughts, he said, are with the family, especially Jasmine.
"The poor mom,'' he said. "She's an emotional wreck. She'll be out of work. Where's her rent money going to come from? She has two other children to care for while she deals with the loss of this innocent child."
PPD: Hitzman Park crash that killed 6-year-old girl ruled accidental; no charges filed
Even some of my pals in the local disc golf community are stepping up to do what they can. We play at Hitzman's small yet challenging 9-hole course a lot. One of our most active players, Jason Gill, a super nice guy who lives near Hitzman, has organized a laid-back fundraiser tournament for Aaliyah's family at the park on Langley Avenue on March 30. Entry in this non-sanctioned event is $10, payable at the event. There will also be a raffle with plenty of awesome, donated items and gift certificates up for grabs. All money brought in goes to Aaliyah's family to help alleviate any financial concerns.
Grab a friend or three and sign up at udisc.com. You and your group can start play anytime between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Just leave the time frame of when you prefer to play in the comments.
No, it's not going to stop the pain. But it's something. Something to ease not the hurt, but some of the pressure.
I think I'll sign Beckett up for his first tournament and play with him that day. I just feel it's an occasion where I would prefer to have him right next to me. Just feels right.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: "Spunky" 6-year-old girl who died at Hitzman loved skateboarding, PB&Js
