- Michael Orta’s house was destroyed during Hurricane Harvey and he lost everything in flooding
- He said the hardest part was seeing his five-year-old son’s beloved Woody doll floating in stagnant flood water
- Touching video captures the moment Orta broke down after his son was given a replacement doll by a boy from New York
- A note came with the doll and said: ‘Praying things get better for you all. Woody is very special to Xander so I hope whoever gets him gives him a loving home.’
Touching video shows the moment a father who lost everything in Hurricane Harvey breaks down when his five-year-old son is given a new Woody doll after his beloved toy was destroyed.
Sports photographer Michael Orta’s Port Arthur house was destroyed after it was filled with four feet of stagnant flood water.
He found his son’s precious Woody doll floating in the water.
Michael Orta lost everything in Hurricane Harvey, but managed to keep his composure until the moment his son was given a new Woody doll after his beloved toy was destroyed
Even though Orta and his son Maddox lost everything in Harvey, the pair went to help others by unloading a donation truck.
‘We’re still blessed because everyone’s still alive and we have family,’ Orta said. ‘But when Maddox lost his Woody doll, I remember seeing Woody’s little hat floating in the water, and I just remember how upsetting that was for me.’
Orta had to pause speaking because emotions began to overwhelm him.
Five-year-old Maddox was given a new Woody doll by a boy named Xander from New York
The toy came with a note that said: ‘Praying things get better for you all. Woody is very special to Xander so I hope whoever gets him gives him a loving home’
‘When these guys showed up, they said I have something for your son.’ Maddox and Orta spotted a Woody doll hanging out of a backpack on the truck. The toy had been donated by another young boy named Xander.
A handwritten note came with the doll. It read: ‘Praying things get better for you all. Woody is very special to Xander so I hope whoever gets him gives him a loving home.’
Damon West, the organizer of the donation drop, live-streamed the moment Maddox got the doll.
Maddox has slept with Woody every night since Xander gave it to him, and he wishes he could thank his new friend in person.
Maddox has slept with Woody every night since he was given the toy
The doll was donated by a boy named Xander (pictured) all the way from New York