Burlington residents were asked to leave porch lights on to honor four young adults who lost their lives in a May boating accident.
Plans for a benefit for families involved, to help with funeral and medical costs, began taking shape.
That benefit took place Sunday, bringing an entire community together.
"This river, the site of so much enjoyment for the city of Burlington, brought tragedy to its shores just a few weeks ago, but Sunday, its community of river rats comes together."
"This is what makes a good community, a great community is everybody coming together," says Louise Butherus.
She lost her son Matthew House that night on the river. He was everything to her. And nothing will ever dull the pain of her loss. But Butherus says this show of support helps.
"The turnouts amazing, and he had a lot of friends, and young adults had a lot of friends, so I'm proud to be in this community."
Organizers say the benefit makes perfect sense for this community.
Planner Jodi Norton says, "Being a river rat is family, when you're on the river everybody else helps you out."
And the sale items honor the river rats who didn't return that night. A floating key chain with a campfire. A koozie with a meaningful quote. And a T-shirt with an original poem on the back.
"Every person I know including my three children love the river, they love to get in it and play, it definitely means something, it's a term of endearment in this area," says John Boyd.
He lost his son Jacob that night. He says the benefit helps in many ways.
"I feel better knowing that this many people were touched by our family and our son."
A connection that Butherus says was waiting to be found.
"It's there already, and sometimes it takes something to show how great a community can actually be, because you know, how else are you going to be able to show it?"
Along with Matthew House and Jacob Boyd, Caitlyn Atchley and Blake Eakins died that night.
Organizers say they hoped to raise 15-thousand dollars for their families at this benefit.
A second benefit is planned for August 26th. The money raised from that event will go to safety signs and other river awareness.
