Family of toddler killed by alligator at Disney set up foundation in his name

The parents of a toddler who was killed by an alligator in Disney World last year have set up a foundation in his name to help families of kids in need of organ transplants.

Nebraska native Lane Graves, 2, was killed by an alligator during the family trip to the theme park in August 2016. And now his parents, Matt and Melissa Graves, are honouring their little boy's memory with The Lane Thomas Foundation. According to local news outlet KETV 7, Matt Graves said at a press conference earlier this week:

“Lane had a very special light about him. We promised him at his wake we would turn this tragedy into good for many families. “Lane loved children and it was very important to Melissa and me to select a mission where we could prevent other parents from knowing the pain of losing a child."

The foundation will help cover travel and living expenses for families who have children being treated at Omaha's Children's Hospital or Nebraska Medicine. The Lane Thomas Foundation has already helped 15 families. The foundation first launched its website earlier this month. According to the website, The Lane Thomas Foundation got it's name because " if Lane was ever asked his name, he would say, 'I'm Lane Thomas, I'm two.'" To learn more about the foundation, visit http://www.LaneThomas.org.