#MalloryStrong: 7-year-old recovering after boat accident on Black Creek

A 7-year-old girl is recovering after a boat crash -- and her cheerleading team is making sure she doesn’t have to do it alone.

Mallory Zacharias is a cheerleader at Island All-Stars in Green Cove Springs.

Her coach says she is a vibrant little girl.

“Super sassy, spunky. She will always make you smile no matter what mood you’re in,” Jaydynn Garza said.

Mallory was on a friend’s boat in Black Creek on April 29 when she a tree limb hit her.

She needed surgery for multiple skull fractures and spent almost 18 days in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Her mother Jennifer said she has been improving daily since waking up from a medically-induced coma, but she has a long road to recovery ahead.

She said love and support from everyone over the last 19 days has helped the family get through the darkest moments of their lives.

Mallory's cheer family at Island All-Stars started a GoFundMe for the family and planned a spaghetti dinner to raise additional funds.

Mallory’s team also dedicated their last competition of the season to her and wore temporary tattoos with the hash tag #MalloryStrong.

“Everything we did, we did for Mallory, and they pulled off a first place,” Garza said.

Now, Garza is asking others to help Mallory and her little brother, whose birthday just passed, smile during this tough time.

She reached out to Action News Jax asking people to send cards, coloring books, anything small to show them support.

“I want Mallory to know it’s not just certain people supporting her, it’s everyone around Clay County, St. Johns. Everyone is there for her backing her up,” Garza said.

Garza said Mallory loves cheer, princesses and bright colors. She said her little brother loves the Disney movie Cars, coloring and trucks.

You can read more about Mallory's journey on the Mallory Strong Facebook page.

Cox Media Group