It shook the South Florida community of Cape Coral and reached the office in State Farm Agent Dawn Sullivan through team member Jeannette Mora. Jeannette’s son, Ely, plays on the same baseball team as the Gentile’s other son.

At the time of his drowning five years ago, the Gentiles had already purchased Alexander’s Christmas gifts. As the family coped and tried to recover from their unspeakable loss, they wanted someone to benefit from the gifts, so they partnered with the toy drive put on by the Cape Coral Police Department.

Those donations helped at least two families — the family in need that received the presents and the Gentiles.

Today, dozens are the benefactors of Alexander’s Toy Drive that Michael and Dawn Sullivan help with each year.

Alexander would have been 6 years old this month. This year, more than 100 gifts were given and distributed to 6-year-old boys in the area through the Cape Coral Police Department.

“There are a lot of people who are looking to help in this way during the holiday season,” says Dawn, a State Farm agent for 12 years. “Folks drop off toys at our office, and Ryan and Rachel come to pick them up and deliver them.”

Dawn and her husband, Michael, also a State Farm agent in Cape Coral, used their offices as drop points for community members to bring gifts.

“We have always helped various toy drives as part of the community and with State Farm,” says Dawn. “This one hit home because of the relationship between Jeannette and Alexander’s mom.”

Dawn and Michael helped market the toy drive by publishing lists of age-appropriate gifts and targeting the message at those who looking for ways to give.

“The best thing about it was a huge network of organized giving that came of it,” says Michael.

“It is a great opportunity to help a family we personally know,” says Dawn. “There’s no greater satisfaction for us than to help someone in a time of crisis. This family has done its best to turn a tragedy into something positive.”

It’s 2:30 a.m., and the doorbell rings. Lori Stutts answers the door, knowing deep down it can’t be good news.

The deputy coroner is at the door. She tells Lori the worst news imaginable. Her son, Zach Maurer, 22, had died.

She tells her it was a single vehicle crash that happened late the night before. Airlifted to the local hospital, they tried everything, but they couldn’t save Zach.

September 20, 2005, is a day Lori will never forget.

Facts: Zach’s blood alcohol level was .165, close to three times over the legal limit in Colorado, which is .06. He was not wearing his seat belt. He was traveling between 75-85 MPH, entering a curve with a speed limit of 30 MPH.

“When something bad happens you have choices—let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you; be a victim or a victor,” she shares.

Lori chose the latter—be a victor and let the tragic loss of her only child strengthen her.

“After Zach's death, it would have been easy to just lay down and give up. But soon after the crash, I knew I had to live and share the story with the goal of telling others to think about the choices they make before getting behind the wheel," Lori explained.

She reached out to a local safety coalition, Drive Smart Weld County, which is supported by State Farm, to get involved in their teen driver safety program. Since 2006, Lori has served as one of the program’s most impactful volunteer speakers.

She chose to share her experience to teach others. She speaks to local teenagers about their choices before getting behind the wheel.

Lori uses her platform to tell teen audiences, “You are special and loved, you matter to this world; AND your choices affect everyone around you.”

Lori donated Zach’s car to the safety coalition. It was mounted onto a trailer with a storyboard. Over the years, she has traveled to schools throughout Weld County (3,900 square miles). At times, towing his car, to tell the story to students, teachers and parents.

Lori’s survival strength is evident in the delivery of her message. Students sit silently, listening and viewing pictures of Zach before the crash, news clips and the car after the crash.

Afterward, as students file out of the room, many stop to give her comforting hugs.  Lori will never know how many lives she has saved or changed because of her son’s story. However, if just one teen’s mind was changed, she knows the years of sharing her message of love, strength and choices, was worth it.