The entire country has seen the devastation that Hurricane Harvey has unleashed on many cities in the state of Texas.
The tropical storm has left far too many lives lost, disrupted, or in danger — not to mention the sheer amount of property destroyed. Nevertheless, throughout this disaster, many everyday people have been honored for being the heroes they are after their brave and selfless actions. Just remembering the group who formed a chain to rescue an elderly man still brings tears to my eyes.
One Texas girl has realized just how much of a hero her own dad is, thanks to his incredible actions during the storm. Makenna Holt wrote a heartwarming letter to her police officer dad, which has since gone viral.
Scroll through to read Makenna's moving note to her brave dad!
Thumbnail Photos: Courtesy of Scott Holt // Facebook / Waco Police Department
If you're looking for ways to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey, consider donating to the Red Cross, or take a look at these nine ways you can lend a hand.
Makenna's note first gained attention when the Waco Police Department posted a photo of it to their official Facebook page.
Sergeant Swanton of the Waco PD shared the letter on August 28, 2017.
He explained that it was written by a little girl to her dad (one of their off-duty officers) who was leaving to help out with much-needed Hurricane Harvey rescues.
"Dear Daddy," Makenna's letter began.
"I hope you don't get hurt, but I hope you help other people that need it more than you do. I hope no one gets hurt more. I hope everyone gets away the hurricane. I love you!"
The little girl signed the note "Scott and Makenna," for both herself and her older brother.
Alongside the letter, Sgt. Swanton did not identify either the officer or the little girl who wrote the letter, but he did explain that he knew them both personally.
"As our off-duty officers head into harms way to help with hurricane Harvey rescues, we thought we'd share with you one of their family members thoughts," Sgt. Swanton wrote.
"And let me say this, I know this young lady (the officer's daughter) personally and know that it took everything that her daddy could do to keep her from loading up with him to go."
The note was also picked up and shared by the Facebook page Love What Matters, where it was shared nearly 300 times.
According to ABC News, Scott has been an officer in the Waco PD for 22 years.
Commander Holt explained to ABC News that his daughter often writes him notes and that he didn't actually have a chance to read it before departing to help out with Hurricane Harvey relief.
He recalled thinking to himself "Typical Makenna!"
According to the girl's dad, she has a "huge heart."
"In her 12 years of life, we've been through a lot, so she's getting to the age where she has her own level of understanding," Commander Holt said.
The officer says he still has his daughter's note.
Sgt. Swanton told Huffington Post that he didn't expect the note would go viral, but he was proud to shed light on the amazing work police officers, firefighters, soldiers, first responders, EMS works, and more are doing in the wake of the tropical storm.
"We are Texans and we’re going to help Texans when we can,” said the Waco PD sergeant. "I think the note also shows that we have such a strong support system behind us with our families, and we couldn’t do what we do in law enforcement without that support from our families and peers behind us."
In the aftermath of Makenna's letter going viral, Commander Holt took to Facebook to share some personal thoughts about his daughter's heartwarming gesture and what it meant to him.
Scott writes:
The true heroes in all of this is our families and loved ones who, without hesitation, said go. On a personal note, after finding out I was going, my 12-year-old daughter came running into my room crying because she knew where I was going and what was going on. I talked to her and told her people were in trouble and needed help. After thinking about it for awhile, she wrote me this note. THAT IS A TRUE HERO! She has received INTERNATIONAL attention for this letter. I was just contacted by Good Morning America and they are running a story. Yes, I am extremely proud of her and her full, giving heart. In her eyes I am a HERO. And that does mean something to me. In fact, it means everything to me.
Please SHARE this incredible story on Facebook!
