“Human chain” of support held by community at one-year mark of 3-year-old boy’s drowning

A family still grieving the loss of their three-year-old received a show of support from hundreds of their community Sunday afternoon.

Hayden Stoll struck his head and fell into his family’s swimming pool on Robinview Court one year ago today on July 29, 2017.

The family’s friends at Engage City Church surprised the Stoll’s by forming a “human chain” of support that lined both sides of their street.

Fellow church-goers wrote cards and placed posters reading “We love you” and “Remembering Hayden” in their front yards.

The church also collected a truck full of toys and 60 molds to deliver to Dayton Children’s Hospital on behalf of “Hayden’s Helping Hands,” a non-profit created by the family in Hayden’s name to support others preparing for the loss of a child.

“For us, just watching her face and letting them know we’re behind them... That’s all we needed,” said Pastor Doug Wampler.

“To try to take their hurt and give somebody else hope. That’s truly what it’s all about for us,” he continued.

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