- April 25, 2024
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Last February, the Burroughs family was struck with tragedy when their 10-month-old daughter, Destiny, died suddenly. But through the struggle, they said they learned about the superheroes they have in their community.
“Destiny was this bubbly, fun, always laughing, always dancing, very happy baby,” said Natalie Burroughs this week, as she sat in her classroom at Palm Coast Community Child Center, where she teaches and where Destiny attended. “Two nights before she passed, she was fine, in perfect health. We were here at the school late, and she was dancing.”
The next day, the infant woke up screaming and throughout the day, she was not eating, not focusing and she became lethargic. Her mother and the school staff made the decision to call an ambulance. While at the hospital, it became clear that her breathing was off; however, none of the tests run came back abnormal. Destiny was discharged and prescribed a nebulizer.
That night, she woke up screaming every hour or so, her parents keeping a close watch on her.
“I got up to go to the bathroom, and by the time I had come back, she had just taken one last big breath,” Natalie Burroughs said, adding that at that point, in shock, they started CPR and called 911.
By the time the doctors at the hospital came out to tell Natalie and her husband, Anthony, that their daughter had died, about 60 people were there with them, praying and ready to help with whatever they needed. Destiny’s death certificate listed the cause as bronchitis.
“Never in a million years would I think that people would show up in numbers like that to make us as comfortable in the moment as possible,” Anthony Burroughs said Monday night. He was wearing a yellow bracelet on each wrist in memory of his little girl.
The day after Destiny’s death, Natalie was scheduled to run Race of the Runways, part of the Palm Coast Running Series. She thought about dropping out, but decided that the race was something she must do for her daughter. She asked for her friends and family to support her decision by wearing yellow, a representation of sunshine and the happiness Destiny brought to the family. Once again, the support was overwhelming, with more than 60 people showing up to walk, run and cheer alongside the Burroughses.
But the support did not stop there. Natalie and Anthony said that, for the past year, they have been inundated with love and support from their friends and church family; one person brought over 50 rolls of toilet paper to help stock for a house full of out-of-town guests. Someone else paid for six months of tuition for their 3-year-old son, Daniel.
“I’ve never seen such amazing support before,” Natalie Burroughs said.
Superhero 5K
Natalie and Anthony Burroughs and the family at Palm Coast Community Church and Palm Coast Community Child Center wanted to do something to not only remember and celebrate Destiny, but to also celebrate the community members who came together to support everyone during the past year. And so they decided to begin the Superhero 5K Walk/Run and Destiny Kids Dash.
“This time last year was so devastating for us because we were so close to the family because they both work here and attend church here,” said Mary Benvento, co-director of PC4. “When Destiny died, it was really hard, and to continue running the preschool — we couldn’t have done it without the community.”
The slogan at the preschool is “training the next generation of superheroes,” and Benvento and the Burroughses both said that because the community members were superheroes to them, it made sense to continue the theme into the 5K.
The event, which is planned for March 7, will include a timed 5K followed by a fun run for children ages 6 and under and all-day activities for families. Participants are encouraged to dress up like superheroes, as there will be prizes awarded.
“I think it’s more than a race,” Anthony Burroughs said. “You’re going to come for a race, but leave with a family day.”
The event will not only serve as a fundraiser for the preschool, but will also raise funds for other local families that suffer the death of an infant.
“When Destiny passed, people just wanted to donate and we would love to pass that down and pay it forward for families that can’t afford things like burial,” Natalie Burroughs said. “For me, what’s most important is that it’s a continued effort of support: When big events happen, people rally around you for that moment, and then when the clouds go away, it fades, but it has never faded here.”
If you go
What: Superhero 5K Walk/ Run and Destiny Kids Dash
When: 8 a.m. Saturday, March 7
Where: Central Park at Town Center
Info: Register at racesmith.com or mypc3.com. Wear a superhero costume.
