ALCORN COUNTY, Miss. — Andrew Loyd’s picture brings up a lot of different emotions for people.
It makes many children in his Alcorn Middle School class happy because he was such a loving and cheerful kid.
But it also makes those same friends sad because of the tragedy that cut his life short.
Catrina Smith was Andrew’s teacher we the 11-year-old was killed by his father in a murder-suicide.
“He’s a hero to these kids because they are more compassionate, forgiving, and they’re more helpful. I can see just a huge difference in the kids he’s touched,” said Smith.
Andrew’s legacy is marked by touching others’ lives.
Andrew’s picture is now featured on a floragraph made of seeds, dried flowers and even coffee beans.
It will be displayed on the Donate Life float in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena.
Andrew’s uncle Andy Burress said he was honored for what this means for Andrew’s legacy.
“We’re celebrating his life, and the fact that we’re celebrating the lives of others who wouldn’t be alive today. That’s something you’ve got to be thankful for,” said Burress.
The Midsouth Transplant Foundation chose to honor Andrew on the National Donate Life float in the Rose Bowl Parade because he saved four lives through organ donation and countless through tissue donation.
According to Randa Lipman with the Midsouth Transplant Foundation, his life-saving efforts didn’t stop with his last breath or the donations.
“It’s our opportunity to share his story with so many because he truly was super and a hero which is what he loved and we hope his story will inspire others to be an organ and tissue donor,” said Lipman.
A family impacted by organ donation created Andrew’s floragraph, but his family had the opportunity to finish his portrait during a ceremony with the Alcorn community.
“He has accomplished great things in his short life, and it continues to come to pass that great things are happening because of him,” said Smith.
WREG worked with lawmakers to establish Mississippi state rules that protect children of mentally ill parents called the Andrew Loyd Law.
It creates another layer of protection of children on a case by case basis.
The boy who loved Batman truly is a super hero himself by doing more to help others even in death.
The parade will be held New Year’s Day and the Midsouth Transplant Foundation has flown Andrew’s cousin and uncle to Pasadena to take part in the Rose Bowl festivities, and to help spread the word about the importance of organ donation.
To find out how to be an organ donor click this link: http://www.organdonor.gov/becomingdonor/index.html